Efficiency from high-tech vegetable growing areas

Tay Ninh identifies agriculture as a pillar in socio-economic development, considering the application of high technology (HDT) as an inevitable solution to adapt to climate change and improve competitiveness. Since 2016, the province has deployed a 2,000-hectare CNC vegetable area in the lower localities. After nearly 10 years, this vegetable area has not only helped increase production value and stabilize output, but also contributed significantly to building a green, safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural sector.

Phuoc Hoa Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Long Cang commune) currently has 15 hectares of vegetables that meet VietGAP standards and are certified as a safe food chain.

Sustainable production

In 2016, when launching the Project for the Development of High-Tech Agriculture associated with the restructuring of the agricultural sector, Tay Ninh province selected 4 crops and 2 livestock to implement. Among them, vegetables were identified as one of the strategic crops, suitable for the soil conditions and meeting market demand.

Previously, vegetable production was mainly based on traditional, small-scale methods, heavily dependent on weather conditions; yields and quality were inconsistent, and market outlets were unstable. However, after many years of implementing high-tech vegetable farming areas, this has changed significantly. Farmers are boldly adopting greenhouses, polytunnels, drip irrigation systems, and using organic fertilizers and biological products to gradually replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The vegetables are cleaner, yields are higher, and quality is guaranteed, leading to more stable market outlets.

Le Van Giay, Director of the Muoi Hai Safe Vegetable Cooperative (Rach Kien commune), shared: “In the past, I and the people around me mainly produced vegetables using traditional methods, employing a lot of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Later, after receiving education and training, I realized that this production method was not good for the health of consumers and growers, so I switched to growing vegetables according to VietGAP standards, and now organic vegetables, using microbial fertilizers. I find that the vegetables grow well, are stable, and fetch higher prices.”

Not only in Rach Kien commune, but also in Phuoc Ly commune, the vegetable growing area has become a shining example in the implementation of high-tech vegetable farming. The entire commune currently has more than 590 hectares of vegetable cultivation, with many households boldly investing in greenhouses and polytunnels. Mr. Dang Van Tong's family (residing in Long Gieng hamlet) has 0.2 hectares of vegetable cultivation in a greenhouse and 0.1 hectares outdoors. He said that the yield in the greenhouse is higher by 0.5-1.5 tons/0.1 hectare, the vegetables are less susceptible to pests and diseases, and labor costs are significantly reduced.

In the same hamlet, Mr. Tran Phuoc Dao also commented: "During the rainy season, growing vegetables in greenhouses limits pests, diseases, and insects, and they are also protected from rain, preventing leaves from being crushed, so yield and quality are ensured."

While Phuoc Ly commune demonstrated the effectiveness of individual farming households' efforts, in Long Cang commune, the collective strength of cooperatives and associations has affirmed its crucial role, exemplified by the Phuoc Hoa Safe Vegetable Cooperative.

The cooperative has 57 members and 15 hectares dedicated to producing leafy vegetables, herbs, hydroponic vegetables, etc., meeting VietGAP standards and certified as a safe food chain. On average, the cooperative supplies about 2 tons of vegetables and fruits daily to supermarkets, wholesale markets, and schools. Not only does it provide stable income for its members, but the cooperative also creates regular employment for about 30 workers, with incomes ranging from 5-7 million VND per month.

According to Phan Van Dau, Deputy Director of Phuoc Hoa Safe Vegetable Cooperative: “Production using CNC technology saves labor, reduces costs, and allows us to sell at a price 500-1,000 VND/kg higher than the market price. Members of the cooperative also receive profit sharing and input services, so they feel secure and committed to the cooperative.”

It is clear that cooperatives not only bring economic benefits but also serve as an important "bridge" helping farmers access the market and establish the brand of clean vegetables from Tay Ninh.

Continue to maintain and develop high-tech vegetable growing areas.

According to information from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, by August 2025, the entire province will have 2,148.46 hectares of vegetables grown using high-tech methods, reaching 107.4% of the plan for the 2021-2025 period. The average vegetable yield is 25-30 tons/ha, 15-20% higher than traditional methods. The average production value is over 400 million VND/ha/year, 1.5-2 times higher than before.

More importantly, this model not only increases income for vegetable growers but also creates regular jobs for thousands of local workers, especially rural women. Currently, the province's clean vegetables are available in many large supermarkets, convenience stores, collective kitchens, etc., and are gradually establishing their brand in the market both within and outside the province.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, emphasized: “In the coming time, the province will review the planned area to be consistent with the new administrative unit; strengthen cooperatives; build more certified production chains; support farmers and cooperatives in training, technology transfer, and building brands of safe vegetables in the lowland region to ensure that products brought to market are both safe and have high added value.”

With the results achieved, the high-tech vegetable growing area has affirmed itself as one of the outstanding achievements of the Tay Ninh agricultural restructuring project. This is clear evidence of the change in farmers' mindset, from small-scale, traditional production to proactively applying science and technology, and linking with cooperatives to expand markets.

Although many challenges lie ahead, with the support of the government, businesses, and cooperatives, the high-tech vegetable growing area will continue to develop its value, becoming an important driving force for the sustainable development of Tay Ninh's agriculture, linked to the goal of building a modern and civilized new rural area.

Thanh Tung

Source: https://baolongan.vn/hieu-qua-tu-vung-rau-ung-dung-cong-nghe-cao-a201851.html