Listen to the stories the land tells...

Cả Tổ Farm is an ideal agricultural and tourism model for those who appreciate green spaces.

Life always presents us with countless paths. Just like how Ms. Le Thi Hong Duyen, a law graduate who spent nearly three years pursuing a master's degree in Shanghai, unexpectedly changed direction. Ms. Duyen decided to return to her homeland and embark on an entrepreneurial journey, building Ca To Farm on a 5-hectare plot of land that had been abandoned for many years.

To many, Duyen's decision seemed somewhat bold. But for her, it was an opportunity to challenge herself, a journey back and a way to repay her homeland in a meaningful way. Duyen shared: "During my time studying in Shanghai, the dazzling lights and vibrant pace of life didn't attract me as much as the moments I spent strolling through the suburbs or visiting and learning about high-tech agricultural models abroad. At times like that, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness thinking about the fields of my homeland, where fertile land is gradually being abandoned, where farmers toil year-round but still struggle to make ends meet."

Turning to agriculture, Ms. Duyen started everything from scratch. Her agricultural knowledge came entirely from practical experience, after numerous failures. “In the first few harvests, I almost lost everything because the fruit quality was poor, the percentage of damaged plants was high, pests and diseases were devastating, not to mention the impact of weather and natural disasters…,” Ms. Duyen confided.

But it was precisely these difficulties and hardships that forged Duyen's resilience, willpower, and endurance. She always believed that "failure is the mother of success." Therefore, she was ready to face failure as an inevitable part of life and her journey. In particular, she remained steadfast in her goals and sustainable values in agricultural production. For her, clean, natural farming is a way of farming that respects the laws of nature and prioritizes safety for people, the environment, and the ecosystem.

The story of agriculture always begins with the land. Therefore, the first thing Ms. Duyen focused on when she started building Ca To Farm was soil improvement. Instead of quickly supplying nutrients to the soil with chemical fertilizers, Ca To Farm uses microbial fertilizers containing antagonistic fungi.

Trichoderma (a biological antagonist of fungal diseases, commonly used in organic farming to control harmful fungal diseases, improve soil quality, and protect plant roots from nematodes) or organic fertilizers such as well-rotted cow manure, soybean meal, bananas, eggs, milk, etc. The entire Farm also uses these biological products as alternatives to harmful pesticides.

“Because our goal is to promote clean, natural agriculture, we focus on planting according to the correct seasons, practicing crop rotation and intercropping to support each other. For example, when growing strawberries, we will plant onions and garlic alongside them to prevent pests and diseases. What sets Ca To Farm apart is that each type of plant is grown in a separate area, from grapes, cantaloupe, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and various vegetables and root crops… The farm mainly focuses on experiential tourism, so we must control the quantity and quality very well, not mass-producing like farms that supply vegetables and fruits wholesale to markets or supermarkets,” Ms. Duyen added.

For over nine years, Ms. Duyen and her family have continuously learned and strived, their efforts have finally borne fruit. The abandoned land has been revived, the soil quality has improved, nurturing many green plants to grow and develop... Ca To Farm's annual revenue is estimated at hundreds of millions of VND, contributing to job creation for many local workers. At the same time, the farm welcomes a large number of tourists each year, especially during the seasons for milk grapes, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, and cantaloupes.

Tổ Farm is not simply a place for growing green vegetables and sweet fruits; it's a place where every visitor finds peace and harmony with nature; a place where families strengthen their bonds; and friends create beautiful memories together... And above all, the farm awakens in everyone a love for nature and an appreciation for the value of clean, sustainable agriculture.

Duyen's journey in pursuing clean, natural farming is still fraught with challenges and worries. This year, due to the combined and successive impacts of rain and storms, her farm suffered heavy losses, estimated at billions of dong. Furthermore, the difficulties in accessing preferential capital and other mechanisms and policies supporting agricultural development also present numerous obstacles.

But Duyen has never regretted her career change nine years ago. She shared: “Although I know it’s difficult and challenging, I’m very happy to see Ca To Farm becoming more and more well-known. The number of returning customers has increased over the seasons, and many have become close friends of Ca To Farm. These positive signs have partly confirmed that the brand, the quality of agricultural products, and the experiential space of the farm have been recognized and trusted by everyone. This has become a great motivation, encouraging me to continue pursuing this journey, which is full of obstacles, challenges, but also full of meaning.”

Text and photos: Huong Thao

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nghe-dong-dat-ke-chuyen-272850.htm