Reviving Dong Quan

A corner of the production area in the Quan rice fields belonging to the Ngo Dinh Tuan family.

Whether traveling on the North-South Expressway through Thanh Hoa or the Nghi Son - Sao Vang road, upon reaching Tan Khang commune, one can easily spot a striking green production area amidst the vast, empty fields of Tan Cau village. After years of digging and embankment construction by the owner, the nearly half-kilometer-long internal road from the main road to the production area is now easily accessible by car. Entering the production area, the sign bearing the words "Ngo Gia Trang," along with the lush greenery and attractive production facilities, gives many the feeling of arriving at an eco- tourism destination. 1,000 dwarf coconut trees and over 3,000 betel nut trees, bearing fruit year-round, provide shade and a verdant canopy, becoming a highlight of the area.

The story of Tuan's family's bold initiative to transform the Quan rice paddy area began in 2015. In early 2016, the commune facilitated their bid for over 3 hectares. What seemed like a disadvantage due to the low-lying land was turned into an advantage by creating 20 ponds of varying sizes. This allowed them to raise various aquatic species such as snails, turtles, frogs, crabs, eels, and various fish, generating increasingly large profits. Using these profits for further investment, in subsequent years he independently acquired, leased, and purchased abandoned land from local residents to transform it into the comprehensive farm spanning over 12 hectares that exists today.

The land dug from the ponds was used to raise the ground level of the production area and build a scientifically designed system of barns. From there, he bought more white horses and cows, and then developed a herd of goats. Wild ducks were also prioritized for breeding, with thousands of ducks raised per batch to take advantage of the water and ponds in the production area. He even traveled all the way to the Southwest of Vietnam to buy dwarf coconut trees to plant around the pond banks and throughout the remaining area of the production site.

Besides family members, he employs five local laborers on a regular basis to ensure a substantial workload is maintained. In recent years, the farm has consistently maintained a herd of nearly 20 white horses, 75 to 80 buffaloes and cows, and thousands of ducks, both for egg production and commercial sale. Waste from livestock farming is partly used as fish feed, while the rest is collected and processed into fertilizer for over 3,000 betel nut trees, 1,000 coconut trees, and other crops. Under the canopy of the betel nut and coconut trees are patches of elephant grass grown to feed the livestock.

Of the total area of over 12 hectares, his family still dedicates 3 hectares to rice cultivation, providing a year-round source of feed for livestock. A truly organic and circular economic model has been implemented here. Rice and agricultural by-products are used as animal feed. Tilapia and other small fish are harvested to feed ducks, and the commercial turtle population is consistently maintained at 400-500 individuals. Agricultural by-products also become food for snails, turtles, freshwater crabs, and eels. Livestock waste is recycled into nutrients for crops. Everything is utilized, reducing environmental pollution and lowering production costs.

Chairman of the Nong Cong District Gardening and Farming Association, Le Tri Duc, shared: “We acknowledge the bold and innovative spirit of Ngo Dinh Tuan's family, as this area is a low-lying region with difficult transportation access. With the consensus and support of the commune government and the District Gardening and Farming Association, we can confidently say this is a success that many people wouldn't have dared to imagine before.”

Accompanying us to the production area, the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Tan Khang Commune Party Committee, Hoang Thi Tam, also stated that the Quan rice paddy area, which is often flooded for many months of the year, only allows for one rice crop per year, making it unreliable. The production model of Mr. Tuan's family is considered a prime example of effective agricultural land consolidation and improvement in the locality.

Throughout the production process, the farm owner constantly sought out and learned to apply technological advancements and accumulate experience. Feed mixers, lawn mowers, vegetable choppers, and straw balers were purchased to increase labor efficiency. In crop cultivation, he also proactively purchased and put into operation plows and seeders. Sixteen cameras installed throughout the production area years ago also play an important role in monitoring the livestock.

"With multiple revenue streams from a suitable production approach, the production area is generating over 2 billion VND in revenue and approximately 1 billion VND in profit annually," Mr. Tuan said.

Text and photos: Linh Truong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khoi-day-dong-quan-249797.htm