Good at business, enthusiastic about village affairs

Ms. Luong Thi Doan's dairy farm earns about 400 million VND/month. Photo: Duong Ha

After many years of raising pigs and chickens on a small scale but with low economic efficiency due to disease and unstable market prices, in 2007, Ms. Luong Thi Doan decided to switch to raising dairy cows.

At that time, Vinh Thinh commune was encouraging households to change their crop and livestock structure, and dairy farming was the new direction chosen by the commune for economic development in this Red River alluvial land.

With the encouragement and support of local authorities, she consolidated her land to grow elephant grass and build barns, and borrowed 100 million VND from the bank to start a business with 3 dairy cows.

At first, due to lack of experience, Ms. Doan's herd grew slowly. In 2009, the herd was affected by an epidemic, causing total loss. Not discouraged by difficulties and challenges, she determined to rebuild the herd by investing in a larger farm, focusing on environmental sanitation and clean barns.

She spent time learning about dairy farming techniques through books and newspapers and attending training courses on scientific and technical dairy farming organized by the Farmers’ Association at higher levels; regularly visiting and learning from experiences in raising cows in localities inside and outside the province. In 2012, she borrowed more capital from the bank, investing nearly 1 billion VND to buy dozens more breeding cows, expand the barn, and plant more elephant grass.

Thanks to her diligence, hard work, constant learning and experience from previous dairy cows, Ms. Doan has accumulated valuable knowledge in dairy farming, helping her family's herd grow and develop healthily.

To date, from the initial 3 dairy cows, Ms. Doan's family's herd has increased to 60 cows. On average, her family harvests nearly 1 ton of milk per day. Currently, the price of milk is being purchased by contract companies from 15,000 - 17,000 VND/kg, after deducting all expenses, she earns a profit of about 400 million VND/month.

Ms. Doan shared: "To increase productivity and ensure milk quality meets standards, first of all, hygiene and disease prevention must be strictly implemented. I always disinfect and clean the barn twice a day and before milking. Second, nutrition must be guaranteed.

Currently, in addition to bran, I also grow elephant grass, ferment dry straw, and add grains such as corn, soybeans, and brewer's dregs. I also invested in a grinder and a grass cutter to mix my own feed for the cows to ensure adequate nutrition.

Seeing the herd of cows grow healthily, providing fresh, clean milk every day to help the family economy grow, makes me realize that my decision to choose dairy farming in the process of converting my livestock structure was the right one. Although it is hard work, having to stay up late and wake up early, but as a farmer who is attached to the fields all year round, I always appreciate this job, and love and attach myself even more to dairy farming."

Every day, in addition to taking care of her dairy cows, Ms. Doan also spends time participating in community activities organized and initiated by the residential area. She is an exemplary citizen who strictly follows the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; and is an active member of the cultural - artistic, physical education - sports clubs of the Women's Union and the Farmers' Association of the village.

The family economy is developing steadily, she does not keep it to herself but actively participates in contributing ideas, donating money, materials to build electricity - roads - schools - stations to build new rural areas and help difficult circumstances in the locality, which is recognized by all levels and people.

Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Vinh Thinh Commune, Nguyen Trung Lam, said: "Ms. Luong Thi Doan is a dynamic, hard-working, diligent farmer member who dares to think, dares to do, and dares to innovate to develop a strong economy.

Not only does she enrich her family, she is also willing to share her experience, capital, and knowledge of dairy farming with other members, especially those in difficult circumstances.

Ms. Doan has been recognized and rewarded by the District Farmers' Association and the Provincial Farmers' Association for many years. In 2019, she was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Central Vietnam Farmers' Association. With her own efforts and moral qualities, Ms. Doan has become an example for many farmer members to learn from."

Phuong Loan

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/129448/Gioi-lam-kinh-te-nhiet-tinh-viec-thon