Leaving the city for the countryside, the engineer 'awakens' the hillside with seasons of million-dollar flowers.

On the perpetually dry, windy, rocky hillsides of Binh Minh commune (Quang Ngai province), a place many once thought was only suitable for acacia, cassava, or eucalyptus trees, now bursts with the vibrant colors of chrysanthemums, petunias, and marigolds.

The person who "awakened" that barren land is Nguyen Vuong Quoc Dat (from An Khuong village, Binh Minh commune, Quang Ngai province ) with the determination to get rich on his own homeland.

Mr. Nguyen Vuong Quoc Dat takes care of each potted flower. PHOTO: DUC MINH

I fell in love with flowers in my homeland.

After graduating from the Biotechnology Department of Ho Chi Minh City Open University, like many other young people, Dat had the opportunity to stay in the city and work with a stable income. However, after many years of working in other places, he decided to return to his birthplace - An Khuong village, formerly Binh An commune (now Binh Minh commune, Quang Ngai province) - to start a business in flower cultivation.

Dat's parents were among dozens of families who migrated to the new economic zone in 1978, moving from the old Chau O town (now Binh Son commune) to the old Binh An commune (now Binh Minh commune). Growing up, he witnessed the local people relying solely on cassava and acacia trees for their livelihood. Their income was precarious, dependent on the weather, and prices fluctuated erratically, making life a constant struggle.

During his years working far from home, Mr. Dat always harbored a deep desire to become wealthy in his homeland. Driven by this aspiration, in 2020 he decided to seek guidance from experienced gardeners and began cultivating flowers.

"It's difficult to grow flowers on hilly land, but I think every plant has a way to adapt; the important thing is that you dare to try and are determined to do it," he shared.

Traders come to buy flowers at Mr. Dat's garden. PHOTO: DUC MINH

After visiting and learning from flower cultivation models in Nghia Ha flower village (Quang Ngai) and neighboring areas, he discussed with his wife about pooling capital and utilizing over 1,000 m² of their family's garden and hillside land to renovate, level, and create raised beds suitable for the growth and development characteristics of each type of flower.

He also installed a drip irrigation and misting system to save water; covered the soil with tarpaulin to prevent weeds and increase soil moisture; and invested in greenhouses and glasshouses covered with transparent plastic to reduce sunlight, wind, and excess water that leads to rot and waterlogging during the rainy season.

Initially, due to a lack of experience in planting and caring for the flowers, many crop cycles were affected by pests and diseases, blooming at the wrong time, and there was no guaranteed market for the produce. His accumulated capital was also depleted. But the more failures he faced, the more determined he became to research and learn through books, the internet, and successful flower growers, persevering in his work with the belief that hard work would pay off and flowers would bloom even in difficult soil.

Fragrant flowers come from perseverance.

By the second year, Mr. Dat's flower garden began to develop steadily. He boldly expanded the area and collected beautiful and rare flowers that were popular in the market, such as Korean chrysanthemums, Dutch chrysanthemums, Pico chrysanthemums, petunias, etc.

In addition, he grows other types of flowers to supply the less demanding local market, such as traditional marigolds and petunias. Depending on the type of flower, he chooses different times for soil preparation and planting, and different care procedures to ensure the flowers bloom precisely for the Lunar New Year every year.

The flowers in Mr. Dat's garden are meticulously cared for. PHOTO: DUC MINH

Thanks to good cultivation techniques, Mr. Dat's flowers bloom evenly and on time, with bright colors, making them popular in the market. In recent years, traders have come directly to his garden to purchase them to supply markets and flower shops in and outside the province.

Every year, as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, Mr. Dat's garden produces thousands of potted flowers of various kinds, generating revenue of 200-250 million VND. After deducting expenses, Mr. Dat earns hundreds of millions of VND in profit each year, many times higher than what he earned from growing cassava and acacia trees before.

Chrysanthemums are in full bloom in Mr. Dat's garden. PHOTO: DUC MINH

Not only has he enriched his family, but from his flower garden, Mr. Dat has also created regular jobs for 2-3 local laborers, especially middle-aged women, helping them earn extra income. At the same time, he is ready to provide technical support to young people in neighboring areas who are starting their own flower gardens.

Opening new avenues in challenging terrain.

Mr. Vu The Son, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Minh commune and Chairman of the Farmers' Association of the commune, said that Mr. Dat's model of reclaiming hilly land to grow flowers is a new direction, in line with the policy of changing the crop structure and increasing economic value per unit area. At the same time, it opens up opportunities for rural youth to start businesses right in their hometowns.

Flowers bloom profusely on the barren land. PHOTO: DUC MINH

From what was once a barren land, thanks to the diligent, creative hands and perseverance of Mr. Nguyen Vuong Quoc Dat, a vibrant flower garden has now taken shape, with rows of diverse flowers stretching out in the morning sun, emitting a gentle fragrance.

In the mid-morning, sun-drenched garden, Mr. Dat meticulously trimmed each potted flower, his face beaming with satisfaction. For him, joy wasn't just about the income, but also about the feeling of living and working in his homeland.

That achievement is not just the color of the flowers, but also the color of willpower and the aspiration of young people to overcome difficulties and rise above them. In the challenging land of An Khuong, the flowers still bloom, proving that with courage to think, courage to act, and with diligence and creativity, even the most difficult land can blossom with fragrant flowers.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-pho-ve-que-chang-ky-su-danh-thuc-dat-doi-bang-nhung-mua-hoa-tien-trieu-185260210104648238.htm