Farming like Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc

In the melaleuca forest area of ​​Khánh An, there are many hardworking and creative farmers who know how to farm in their own unique way. Among them, Mr. Võ Thành Quốc (Hamlet 13) is a prime example, not only becoming wealthy from rice cultivation and shrimp farming but also utilizing the banks of ponds and canals to grow crops, creating a stable income year-round. Thanks to his effective methods, he has become a role model in the local movement of successful farmers in production and business.

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Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc (on the right) next to his lush green bitter gourd garden.

Along the road leading to U Minh Ha National Park , many people know Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc as a "skilled farmer" with his bitter gourd cultivation model. Having spent over 10 years working in rice paddies and shrimp farms, he has accumulated a wealth of experience, knowing how to harmoniously combine natural methods with modern techniques. "Whether you grow bitter gourd, pumpkin, or loofah, it doesn't matter; the important thing is knowing how to utilize the land and adhering to technical procedures," he said, nimbly tying strings to the lush green bitter gourd trellis.

Mr. Quoc's bitter melons are grown organically, ensuring safety, and are therefore favored by traders.

Along a 500-meter-long square embankment, bitter gourd vines create a lush , green canopy . Mr. Quoc said that when the weather is favorable, he harvests every two days, picking hundreds of kilograms each time, with prices ranging from 10,000 to 14,000 VND per kilogram. "With diligence, you can have a steady income. Today I harvested over 150 kilograms, and after deducting expenses, I still made a decent profit," he happily shared.

Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc (on the right) grows pumpkins on the canal bank to increase his income.

What's admirable about Mr. Quoc is his mindset towards safe, environmentally friendly farming. Since the local authorities promoted the ecological farming model, he has completely switched to using biological pesticides and making his own fish fertilizer from tilapia, other small fish, or bitter gourds infested with pests. "It's very effective; the plants are healthy, the fruit is beautiful, and the cost of fertilizers and pesticides has been significantly reduced," he said. As a result, his bitter gourds retain their natural green color, are crisp, have fewer pests and diseases, and are favored by traders.

Mr. Quoc's integrated rice-shrimp-crab farming model, combined with vegetable cultivation, aims towards sustainable ecological agriculture.

Besides growing bitter melon, Mr. Quoc also grows pumpkins, gourds, and squash along the canal banks, both to prevent soil erosion and to increase his income. Simultaneously, he developed a combined rice-shrimp-crab farming model, yielding high economic returns. On average, he earns about 100 million VND annually from rice-shrimp-crab farming and 60 million VND from other crops, bringing his total average income to 160 million VND per year – an impressive figure for a farmer in a remote area.

Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc visits the integrated rice-shrimp-crab farming model.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ril, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Khanh An commune, commented: "The movement of skilled farmers in production and business is showing clear effectiveness. Farmers in the commune know how to utilize the advantages of their land and combine farming and cultivation rationally. Many households have boldly switched to organic farming, increasing productivity while protecting the environment. Mr. Vo Thanh Quoc is a typical farmer in this movement."

From square plots overgrown with weeds, Mr. Quoc has transformed them into lush green flower gardens, contributing to the beautification of the new rural landscape of Khanh An. Locals often jokingly say, "Farming like Mr. Quoc is profitable, meaningful, and impressive."

Hoang Vu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/lam-nong-nhu-ong-vo-thanh-quoc-a123619.html