Green farming in the border region of Tinh Bien

By developing a hydroponic vegetable farm using the aquaponics system, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, residing in Tinh Bien ward, aims for green and safe agricultural production. However, the market for his products remains a challenge that needs to be addressed for the model to be effective.

The aquaponics model of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong's family in Tinh Bien ward. Photo: THANH TIEN

Goals regarding clean vegetables

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong's farm in Xuan Phu hamlet, we were both surprised and delighted. His farm, named Phuong Tham Aquaponics Farm, covers 5,000 square meters on dry, sandy land during the hot season. However, using the power of technology, the farm still produces hundreds of kilograms of clean vegetables daily through the aquaponics method. "I saw information about hydroponic vegetable farming models in newspapers and on social media, and I particularly loved this technological method of growing vegetables. Therefore, I decided to invest in a farm to provide consumers with clean, safe vegetables," Mr. Dong said.

His family invested over 2 billion VND in a 1,200m² farm system, cultivating curly lettuce, mustard greens, and bok choy. They also raise fish in several tanks to provide a natural nitrogen fertilizer for the vegetables. Because the model has only been developed for over 6 months, Mr. Dong is only testing the market with his products. If well-received, he plans to expand to 2,400m² to increase production.

Visiting the Phuong Tham organic vegetable farm reveals the dedication of Mr. Dong's family. Rows of hydroponic vegetables are neatly arranged, lush and green, with water trickling through plastic pipes. This water, sourced from a system of fish tanks and treated by beneficial microorganisms, becomes rich in natural nitrogen, providing nutrients for the vegetables. After harvesting, the water is cleaned and returned to the fish tanks, creating a unique closed-loop system.

“This model operates on an aquaponics system, primarily using technology and machinery. Currently, I only need manpower for harvesting and planting seedlings on the racks. In terms of appearance, the clean vegetables from my farm are no less superior than those grown in traditional soil, and customers have reported that they can store them in the refrigerator for about 10 days,” Mr. Dong said. According to Mr. Dong, the system is programmed to automatically distribute nutrients and water at scheduled times. Thanks to temperature sensors, the system also automatically retracts the cover if the temperature reaches 37-38°C; when the temperature stabilizes, the cover automatically retracts. Because of this modernity, the initial investment cost for this model is usually quite high, making it unaffordable for many farmers.

Difficulties with output

Despite his dedication to the model, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong still faces difficulties in finding markets for his hydroponically grown vegetables. “We harvest and sell in a staggered manner every day. On average, the facility supplies about 200kg of various vegetables to the market daily, depending on customer orders. However, the number of orders is still low, so I'm quite concerned,” Mr. Dong expressed.

Regarding the selling price, hydroponically grown vegetables from Mr. Dong's Phuong Tham Aquaponics Farm are priced at 20,000 VND/kg for varieties such as curly kale, mustard greens, and bok choy. In reality, Mr. Dong's farm could achieve a yield of 400-450 kg/day, but due to low market demand, production is currently limited. Mr. Dong explained that previously, the company that installed the farm committed to purchasing all of his produce for the first three months to distribute to Ho Chi Minh City. However, they later reduced the quantity from 450 kg to just over 100 kg, so Mr. Dong decided to sell locally instead.

"I sincerely hope to receive support and assistance from the local government, especially in connecting with preschools and schools to ensure a stable market for our produce. This will help us cultivate sustainably and provide a source of safe and healthy vegetables for more people," Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong expressed his hope.

Mr. Le Van Thanh, Deputy Head of the Economic , Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Tinh Bien Ward, said that the unit will support and provide Mr. Dong with a list of indicators that need to be analyzed, and assist in connecting him with a certification body so that his vegetable products meet VietGAP standards. After that, they will connect him with schools and garment factories with a large workforce in the area to create outlets for his agricultural products. “In the long term, we will support his business to participate in promotional and trade events both within and outside the locality to diversify partners and expand the market. This is crucial for Mr. Dong's family to sustainably pursue the goal of growing clean vegetables for the market, contributing to the promotion of science and technology application and the development of green and sustainable agriculture in Tinh Bien Ward,” Mr. Le Van Thanh said.

Nguyen Van Sam, Chairman of the Tinh Bien Ward Farmers' Association, informed: "The Ward Farmers' Association will support Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong's family in developing an additional model of earthworm farming to feed fish and obtain organic fertilizer on the remaining land. This is a way to diversify income sources from the farm."

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lam-nong-xanh-o-vung-bien-tinh-bien-a486523.html