The rubber tapping worker is passionate about growing clean mushrooms.

Although she has just started her business and her farm is not large, rubber tapping worker Nguyen Thi Bao Hong is still confident with the Luan Nhan natural mushroom and bean sprout growing model that is trusted by local people.

Cô công nhân cạo mủ cao su mê trồng nấm sạch — *Bao Hong and her husband harvest clean mushrooms grown naturally - Photo: NVCC*

That belief helps Ms. Nguyen Thi Bao Hong (31 years old) - owner of Luan Nhan straw mushroom facility in An Long commune, Phu Giao district ( Binh Duong province) - know that she is on the right track in her journey to start a business growing mushrooms and clean vegetables.

Growing mushrooms naturally

Working as a rubber tapper at night, Ms. Hong said she wanted to take advantage of her free time during the day to do business to increase her income.

Straw mushrooms are a short-term, nutritious food, and are now convenient to grow. With experience growing mushrooms in their hometown in Dong Thap , the couple decided to borrow 120 million VND to realize their dream of starting a business with straw mushrooms.

The first mushroom house, with an area of only 50 square meters ^, was built in June 2022. While working, she also learned from many places because before that, she tried growing mushrooms outdoors but failed without knowing the reason.

Switching to indoor growing, the first batch of mushrooms she picked yielded 9kg. The results were quite positive as after 33 days, the total yield of that crop was 100kg.

"We grow purely naturally, without any fungicides, plant protection products, or fertilizers, just combining straw, mushroom spawn, and watering with fresh water wells.

The first time we did it, we received a lot of support from the people. We were happy that we didn't have enough mushrooms to sell, so I borrowed more money to open a second mushroom house, also 50 square ^meters ," Ms. Hong boasted.

With 190 rolls of straw for two mushroom houses, in favorable weather each house can harvest more than 100kg in 4-5 weeks, at least about 80-90kg. Mushroom yield per batch is not fixed because it is done in accordance with nature, partly depending on weather, climate, irrigation water...

The mushrooms are only sold to acquaintances. Many people know to order in advance, but they are not yet available in the market or on supermarket shelves. However, the couple has considered this.

Although she has some experience, the dependence on natural conditions, high input material prices, unsatisfactory harvest yields, unstable consumption output... are difficult problems she is still facing.

The "5 no" rule

Do not use soil for planting but plant with straw substrate. Do not use contaminated water sources. Do not use genetically modified seeds. Do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Do not use stimulants or growth drugs.

That is not only the standard but also the commitment that Luan Nhan facility pursues. Since March 2024, she has been growing more sprouts and raising earthworms, taking advantage of the waste straw to turn into compost, although straw mushrooms are still the main product.

Ms. Hong is growing straw mushrooms and sprouts following the circular economy approach. After growing mushrooms, the straw will be watered with microorganisms and then covered with a tarpaulin. After 10 days, it will be opened and turned over.

Like that, after 3 months the straw will become straw compost, which is used to grow sprouts, and then this substrate is used to raise earthworms. After 4 weeks, the earthworm compost is fertilized back into the straw mushrooms to provide nitrogen for the mushrooms.

They maintain the principle of not using any chemical fertilizers or pesticides and also do not release toxic substances into the environment because they apply a circular economy.

"Straw can be directly fertilized for ornamental flowers and fruit trees, and is a good source of nutrients for plants. All the fruit trees around my house use straw after growing mushrooms," Ms. Hong shared.

Aiming at OCOP products

Talking about competitive advantage, Ms. Hong said she did not dare to compete with anyone because her facility was still small. However, compared to the market, Ms. Hong was confident because she grew pure, natural mushrooms.

Another lucky thing is that the couple's business receives a lot of support from various departments and organizations. Especially the support from local people.

As a regular customer of Luan Nhan straw mushrooms, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Thuy said that by chance in 2023, while craving straw mushrooms, an acquaintance introduced Ms. Hong's clean mushroom facility.

"I bought some to try and found it delicious. The taste seems different from mushrooms bought at the market. I introduced it to my family and friends who often come here to buy," Ms. Thuy boasted.

Currently, the facility also packages and supplies straw mushroom spawn and sprouts for customers to take home to grow, harvest, decorate and make their favorite dishes. Focusing on quality, Ms. Hong said she is aiming for large markets like Ho Chi Minh City.

"I have registered for intellectual property rights. The Women's Union of Phu Giao district supported me in completing the process to introduce it as a 3-star OCOP product," Ms. Hong informed.

In September 2023, Ms. Bao Hong received the encouragement prize in the "Women starting a business on a digital platform" contest organized by the Phu Giao District Women's Union. A year later, she won third prize in the "Women starting a business in innovation and green transformation" contest organized by the Vietnam Women's Union along with the secondary prize for Vietnamese women confidently doing business last September.

Coffee Talk of Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024: How to judge the special prize

Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024 is organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, in collaboration with the Youth Startup Support Center (BSSC) and the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam). The judging panel will contact and connect with startups through the special Coffee Talk judging format. Promising startups will be honored at a gala scheduled to be held in November 2024. In addition to sharing their stories in the press, startup projects participating in the program will have the opportunity to access many investment funds as well as be communicated and promoted to the community. The top 20 startups selected for the final round will receive financial support from the following organizations: VinaCapital, ACB Bank, Volvo, KN Group, Dai-ichi Life Vietnam, An Hoa, Faslink, Ecco Golf Vietnam, Tin Nghia... In which the special prize (100 million VND) from the program's advisory board is Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai - Chairman of PRO Vietnam. Learn more about the Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024 participation rules and the registration form for Tuoi Tre Start-up Award 2024. The program continues to receive project applications until October 20 at email: tuoitrestartupaward@tuoitre.com.vn .