The beauty of a garden house

For generations, farmers have been intimately connected to their fields, enduring the early morning sun and late afternoon rain, their hands calloused and their hearts steadfast. They are not only the creators of rice and sweet fruits, but also symbols of diligence and perseverance. Despite facing harsh weather or fluctuating prices, they remain committed to their land and their profession day after day.

Nearly 40 years working in the rice fields.

Mr. Nguyen Van Moi (55 years old, residing in Dong Binh Nhat hamlet, Vinh Thanh commune, Chau Thanh district) has been involved in rice farming since he was 18. To date, after 37 years, he remains dedicated to the profession, cultivating nearly 9 hectares of rice, of which about 5 hectares are leased land. Each year, he grows three crops, closely monitoring each stage of development to promptly address pests and diseases, fertilize, and care for the plants.

In recent years, he has applied technological advancements, such as using drones for spraying pesticides and combine harvesters, to reduce labor. According to him, rice paddies are no longer as richly enriched with alluvial soil as before, making cultivation more difficult and requiring the use of more fertilizers to supplement nutrients for the rice plants. Therefore, farmers must learn and update their knowledge to achieve high efficiency in farming.

Mr. Mọi uses an airplane to fertilize his rice crop.

Mr. Moi confided: "This job is hard, but I can't bear to give it up. Even though the land is depleted of alluvial soil, fertilizers are expensive, and rice prices are volatile, I still go to the fields from 5 a.m. For each hectare of rice, I invest about 4 million dong, and if the yield isn't stable, it's all for nothing. When I was little, I followed my father to the fields; it was hard work, but I got used to it. Every time the rice plants bloom with golden ears, it fills me with joy. Although it's not as bustling as other jobs, for me, it's a job I'll be dedicated to for life."

Versatile farmers who "work in both fields and rice paddies"

In Hoa Binh commune (Cho Moi district), Mr. Nguyen Trong Phuong (53 years old) is well-known to the local people for his diligence and creativity in farming. His family owns 6 acres of land for growing vegetables and fruit trees, plus 9 acres of rented land for rice cultivation. Unlike traditional methods, he combines vegetable, fruit, and rice farming. Vegetables such as mustard greens, bok choy, lettuce, cucumbers, eggplants, chrysanthemum greens, etc., are grown in a mixed system throughout the year.

Besides proactively managing crop seasons according to market demand, he also installed a rotating automatic irrigation system, reducing labor while ensuring efficient irrigation. Although he didn't invest in greenhouses due to high costs, he continued to research and improve them. Furthermore, he applied his knowledge from vegetable farming to rice cultivation, creating an effective, mutually supportive farming chain.

Mr. Phuong recounted: “When I was little, I followed my father to the fields, and I got used to it. Every day, I go to the fields at dawn, sometimes working until late at night to deliver vegetables to customers on time. I work in small quantities, mostly taking care of everything myself, so it's less expensive, but it's very hard work. Each type of plant requires different care, and I have to adapt to unpredictable weather. This profession requires diligence, learning from others and experimenting through practical experience. When my vegetables got sick, I handled it well, so I later applied that to rice farming. I realize that farming now doesn't just rely on physical strength; you also need knowledge to survive. That's why if someone can stick with it, they'll love it very much and won't be able to give it up.”

Although modern life offers more choices, there are still farmers like Mr. Moi and Mr. Phuong who quietly remain dedicated to their fields and gardens. They understand the land, cherish the plants, find joy in their labor, and exchange their hard work for a full and satisfying meal for their families and society. Besides them, many other farmers are contributing to maintaining Vietnamese agriculture in the modern era.

What is needed now is to rekindle confidence in farming, while supporting farmers in accessing technology and securing stable markets for sustainable agricultural development. Farming is not outdated; with the support of knowledge, innovation, and passion, Vietnamese farmers will always be a beautiful and humane image, regardless of scorching sun or torrential rain.

NGUYEN XE

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/net-dep-nha-vuon-a420046.html