'Touching' the green agriculture

He is a different kind of farmer. Many locals have commented on Mr. Chu Van Quan, the owner of Thanh Binh farm in Cuong Lang hamlet, Tan Cuong commune. I also realized this when I sat down to drink herbal tea with him. The moon-gazing pavilion, which he designed and built himself in a corner of a fairly large pond, has long become a place where locals come to drink herbal tea and discuss how to get rich.

In 2025, Mr. Chu Van Quan sold more than 7,000 Muscovy ducks and wild ducks, achieving a total revenue of nearly 1.2 billion VND from duck farming.

The tech-savvy farm owner

Minimizing the use of chemicals and implementing a circular production process are key to creating safe agricultural products. By adopting an environmentally friendly approach, the products of Thanh Binh farm in Cuong Lang hamlet, Tan Cuong commune, are highly valued by buyers. Mr. Chu Van Quan, the farm owner, simply stated: "Green agriculture is a goal the whole world is striving for. I researched this method online and immediately fell in love with it."

The story of Mr. Thanh Binh, the owner of Thanh Binh farm, a simple, tech-savvy farmer with a burning desire to realize his dream of green agriculture, began nine years ago. In 2017, after more than 20 years living in the South, Mr. Quan left his birthplace, Cuong Lang, to start over as a farmer.

Mr. Chu Van Quan succinctly stated: "The farm has a total land area of ​​14,000 square meters, of which 7,000 square meters were given to me by my parents; I bought the remaining 7,000 square meters. Because I lacked investment capital, I received a loan of 40 million VND from the Provincial Farmers' Support Fund and 50 million VND from the Social Policy Bank. I used all my own capital and the borrowed money to rent machinery to level the hills and fields; I planned the overall land use for a livestock and poultry farm, fruit tree cultivation, and fish ponds, while I built a temporary shelter for living."

With diligence and a scientific work plan, the livestock farm includes 10 sows and 100 piglets per litter; a herd of 40 breeding goats and over 100 commercial goats; and an orchard with vibrant green pomelo, Taiwanese guava, sapodilla, mango, and jackfruit trees. In the first year, pig prices consistently dropped, but the goats fetched high prices when sold.

Mr. Chu Van Quan instructs his son on how to care for coconut beetle larvae.

After much thought, Mr. Quan decided to abandon pig farming and focus on raising goats in enclosed pens, primarily the Bach Thao and Boer breeds ( African crossbreeds ). In addition to goats, he also raises 100 rabbits, 15 beehives for honey production, and Japanese Koi fish in his pond.

To provide food for his goats, Mr. Quan grows lemongrass and elephant grass, and also purchases soybean meal, distiller's grains, and beer lees from local producers to mix into their feed; he also raises earthworms as a food source for his fish. Many tasks are assisted by machinery, such as cutting and chopping grass for the goats; cleaning the barns; watering fruit trees; and providing oxygen for the fish. For electricity to power the machinery, he uses solar panels.

Investing in green agriculture

In early 2025, the farm suddenly lacked the familiar bleating of the goats, and there were no more customers coming to buy Japanese Koi fish… Mr. Quan shifted his investment to livestock farming on a scale of 500 free-range chickens; 1,000 Muscovy ducks and wild ducks; 100 geese; and 100 tanks for raising coconut beetle larvae. The ponds, which had been used to raise Koi fish, were converted to raising 500 snakehead fish, 50,000 snails, and 10,000 frogs. On the hillside, he planted an orchard with jackfruit, guava, and sapodilla trees, adding over 400 banana plants.

"Goats and koi fish fetch good prices, why did you abandon them and switch to raising other animals?" I asked.

- Raising goats takes no days off. On the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), my wife and I still cut grass, chop it up for the goats to eat, and clean the barn. As for Koi fish, fewer people are buying them, so I've changed my approach.

- You're used to raising chickens, ducks, and geese, but raising snails, frogs, and coconut beetles is completely new to you. Don't you think that's risky?

- I researched through books, newspapers, and social media and realized I could invest successfully, so I decided to switch. Moreover, this investment direction truly represents green agriculture and clearly demonstrates circular production. For example, snakehead fish eat the leftovers of snails and frogs; earthworms eat the leftovers of coconut beetles; poultry eat earthworms; and various fruit trees "eat" manure.

A closed-loop, circular farm has produced safe products. To proactively secure feed for his poultry, Mr. Quan invested in installing feed-making machines, grinders, and dryers. The feed is a mixture of corn, cassava, barley bran, earthworms, and by-products from chickens and fish. Mr. Chu Van Quan said: "I produce more than 70 tons of feed per year myself, enough to feed the livestock on my farm."

Mr. and Mrs. Chu Van Quan are delighted with the fruits of their labor.

After a brief pause, he continued his story with more enthusiasm: "Working on the farm, besides its economic significance, is also a passion for me. When I switched to raising snails and frogs, they were 'new friends,' so there were many nights I stayed up all night sitting in the moon-gazing pavilion watching them. Once, I noticed the water in the pond was very viscous, and I just wished for dawn to come so I could call the breeding facility to ask how to deal with it."

Thanks to his eagerness to learn and his dedication to researching materials related to livestock and crops, his farm has achieved stable production and good development. He sells a batch of snails and frogs every three months, while he maintains a three-generation breeding system for chickens, ducks, and geese, ensuring a regular supply of products.

When asked about his income, Mr. Quan confidently stated: "In 2025, Thanh Binh farm is guaranteed to generate 4.5 billion VND in revenue. After deducting all expenses, we'll have a profit of over 1.2 billion VND…" Just then, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu, the farm owner's wife, returned from a delivery trip and added: "Every day I make several trips delivering snails, frogs, chickens, ducks, geese, and some fruit trees directly to restaurants, reducing the middleman. This also gives restaurants the confidence to create delicious dishes to offer their customers."

While giving us a tour of his farm, Mr. Quan proudly said: "Previously, I had to go to Ninh Binh to buy snail breeding stock; to Soc Son (Hanoi) to buy frog breeding stock; and coconut beetle breeding stock to order from Ben Tre, but now I can produce the breeding stock myself and supply it to people in the area to raise, helping them get rich together with me."

With his simple demeanor, unpretentious conversation, and approachable nature, Mr. Quan was well-liked by the local people. Because of this, Thanh Binh farm became a meeting place for farmers in the area to exchange experiences and learn how to get rich...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/cham-den-nong-nghiep-xanh-3ca2bbe/