After many years of studying natural ecosystems, including five years working in Laos , Mr. Ngoc sought a solution to the problem of farming without confronting nature. In 2017, the "Farmer Soldier" Project was launched and implemented in Vietnam. In Gia Lai province alone, the project has been working alongside farmers for the past two years, gradually forming organic farming models based on soil restoration.
Restoring "power" to nature
According to Mr. Ngoc, organic conversion is not a quick-fix technical solution package, but rather a journey of commitment. That journey begins with learning to observe the soil, listen to the signals of the plants, and let the ecosystem function naturally.
Leading us through the transforming gardens, where grass grew taller than half a person, covering tree trunks and pathways, Mr. Ngoc calmly explained when met with skeptical glances: “Letting the grass grow is a disciplined solution. Grass is like a roof protecting the underground ecosystem. When that ecosystem thrives, it becomes a natural machine producing organic nutrients for the plants. Beneath the grass, the soil is broken up into small, loose particles, a sign that a ‘team’ of microorganisms and insects is actively working. The soil has begun to heal itself.”
The philosophy of returning what the land naturally possesses became the common ground between Mr. Ngoc and Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chau - Director of Linh Nham Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Mang Yang commune). Although Mr. Chau's 18-hectare pepper garden had received organic certification from the US and Europe, the plants still experienced periods of yellowing leaves and root rot. "When I realized the shortcomings in my soil improvement methods, I decided to join the project," Mr. Chau recalled. After more than a year, the garden was covered with a green carpet of grass, the microorganisms in the soil were thriving, and the pepper plants were growing steadily.
At this point, Mr. Chau truly realized that organic farming methods not only aim to meet international market standards but also protect the health of producers and the environment.
Inspired by Mr. Chau's success, many farmers have boldly learned from him. Mr. Cao Hoang Vu (village 3, Mang Yang commune) recounted his two-year transformation journey, filled with anxieties about short-term income losses: Only when he saw his orchards transform did he believe he had chosen the right path. With healthy trees, farmers have an easier time, only needing to apply organic fertilizer 2-3 times a year, significantly reducing costs compared to previous farming methods, while achieving results beyond expectations.
"Return to the soil. Healthy soil will solve all the problems for the plants," that's the "secret" Mr. Vu has concluded. The organic products from his family and group members are highly valued by partners not only for their quality but also for their ethical farming practices.
Not limited to pepper, the project has supported organic conversion to many other crops such as coffee, passion fruit, cantaloupe, durian, herbs, etc. The overarching belief remains: "Healthy soil produces healthy plants."
Mr. Dao Ba Tuyen (Hamlet 2, Ia Phi Commune) said: "In the beginning, when we released the coffee plants back into nature, my family almost suffered losses due to nutrient stress. Afterward, the plants began to recover, and the yield stabilized and increased significantly, reaching over 5 tons of coffee beans per hectare in the last harvest. On the restored land, I also combined coffee with durian cultivation and developed a greenhouse melon farming model to diversify income sources and reduce the risk of dependence on a single crop."
From farmlands to a green future
Recalling the early days of bringing the project to Ia Phi commune, Mr. Ngoc said that the project received strong support from Mr. Nguyen Cong Son - Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Chu Pah district (formerly). Through weekend trips to individual gardens, engaging in dialogue with farmers using specific examples from their own farms, Mr. Ngoc helped farmers understand that organic farming requires perseverance and acceptance of challenges.
Speaking with us, Mr. Bien Van Hao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ia Phi commune, said that the long-term overuse of chemical fertilizers has led to soil degradation, increased production costs, and growing environmental risks. With the project's successful trials on key crops such as coffee and melons, the local authorities are continuing to encourage farmers to switch to these crops, using the land as a foundation for sustainable agricultural development in the context of increasing climate change.
In reality, switching to organic farming has significantly increased the economic value of many agricultural products. Pepper prices have increased by about 30-35%; cantaloupe prices by about 30%; and coffee beans are heavier and of more uniform quality, making them suitable for processing into high-quality products. However, the benefits are not limited to just the selling price. When the land is "rejuvenated," farmers can grow multiple crops on the same plot of land, with the crops supporting each other in terms of nutrition, microorganisms, and natural pest control, thereby improving sustainable production efficiency.
At the International Conference on Organic Farming and Sustainable Production between Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany, held at Can Tho University of Agriculture in November 2025, the "Farmer Warrior" Project announced a sustainable soil improvement solution based on a simple philosophy: Restoring the land to its original natural state.
According to Mr. Ngoc, the consensus among scientists and international partners signals that Vietnamese agriculture can absolutely transform towards sustainability if it starts from the core foundation: the land. This philosophy, therefore, is not just a slogan but a warning that if agriculture wants to go far, it must accept slowing down, being kinder to the environment and to the farmers themselves.
“I always coordinate with local authorities to promote and support farmers in changing their farming mindset, viewing the land as a living organism and the ecosystem as its foundation. When the land is restored, the crops thrive, and farmers regain their initiative in production. From there, a green future gradually takes shape, not only green in the color of the leaves, but also green in the way of doing things, in sustainable livelihoods, and in the harmonious relationship between humans and nature,” Mr. Ngoc shared.
And, as Mr. Ngoc himself emphasized, that path is neither short nor easy. But it is the right path for agriculture to go further. Slow down a bit, be kinder to the environment and to the farmers themselves – the “soldiers” in the fields today, for a green future tomorrow.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/canh-tac-huu-co-de-phat-trien-ben-vung-post579694.html
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