Conqueror of the Wilderness

22 years ago, if someone talked about farming or settling down in the Wilderness, a low-lying, barren land full of reeds and red alum, the people of An Binh village, Thanh An commune, Cam Lo district, Quang Tri province would laugh and shake their heads and exclaim: "It's as difficult as growing rice in the wild!" That metaphor was like a curse passed down from generation to generation about a land that seemed impossible to improve. Yet in the midst of that "impossible" place, Mr. Ho Van Duong has quietly changed the entire appearance of the Wilderness to affirm the truth: The land does not disappoint those who have the heart.

First step into the "evil land"

Located on the northern edge of Thanh An commune, the Wilderness area was previously known only for its endless reed fields, almost year-round flooding, red soil covered in alum, and air thick with humidity and isolation. People had many times intended to reclaim this land but gave up. Shrimp and fish were released into the land before they could grow due to the heavy alum. Rice plants, the symbol of agricultural life, also withered in waves, never having a full season. The Wilderness became a forgotten land.

Mr. Duong instructs mechanics to renovate the fields - Photo: MT

But for Mr. Duong, that land was not a place where hope ended. On the contrary, it was that harshness that awakened in him a great desire: to revive and conquer this barren land.

In 2003, when many people were still struggling to make a living on the rice fields on the outskirts of the village, Mr. Duong suddenly withdrew all the capital he had accumulated over many years, borrowed more from relatives and the bank, and then went alone to the Wilderness to start a business. “At that time, everyone said I was crazy. Some people even said that someone must have cast a spell on me to abandon the good fields and go into the land to die!”, Mr. Duong recalled with a laugh.

Indeed, on the first day he set foot in the Wilderness, he almost faltered. Before him was a barren land, stagnant water, and a pungent smell of alum. Every step was hindered by dense reeds. But instead of turning back, Mr. Duong quietly stayed, built a tent, and began a long battle with the land, water, and weather.

The first job was to improve the land. For nearly a year, he hired machines to dig drainage ditches, level low-lying areas, and build embankments to prevent floods. He treated the alum by applying lime, combined with planting salt-tolerant plants to gradually clean the soil. In the first months, there was no income, capital gradually ran out, while there was no positive sign.

“Every night I had a restless sleep. One day it rained heavily and the water flooded the whole camp, I had to hug my blanket and climb up to the roof to avoid the flood. But I never thought of giving up. Because I believe that although this land is fierce, it is not necessarily ungrateful,” Mr. Duong said.

Light from the first crops

After two years of perseverance, the wasteland began to revive. Plants began to take root, and some small experimental ponds with fish were harvested. Mr. Duong started a small-scale VAC (garden - pond - barn) model: raising a few dozen pigs, raising tilapia and grass carp, and growing rice on 1 hectare of the highest land. At that time, the yield was still low, the income was not significant, but the important thing was that the land began to "receive people".

In the following years, thanks to constantly learning techniques and participating in science and technology transfer training courses, Mr. Duong expanded the area to 7 hectares, building a comprehensive farm with a continuous model: pigs - rice - fish and auxiliary crops.

The highlight of the model is that he has a joint venture with CP Company (Vietnam - Thailand Livestock Company) to develop an industrial pig herd. Currently, his farm has about 1,000 pigs, raised in a closed process. The company provides breeds, feed and veterinary medicine; Mr. Duong is responsible for infrastructure and labor. The modern barn system has a waste treatment system using a manure separator. The treated waste is reused as fertilizer for crops and rice, creating a closed chain, saving costs and protecting the environment.

Thanks to this model, he earns about 800 million VND each year from pig farming. After deducting expenses, net profit is about 400 million VND.

In 2023, Mr. Duong continued to expand the scale of production by cooperating with Quang Tri Trading Corporation Joint Stock Company, converting 4 hectares of rice land to organic production. This is a breakthrough step, because organic rice is currently a trend favored by the market, with a selling price 20% - 30% higher than normal rice.

He invested in an automatic irrigation system, did not use chemical pesticides, but instead used biological products and microbial fertilizers from livestock waste. The first crop under organic standards yielded quite well, reaching nearly 6 tons/ha, bringing in revenue of about 300 million VND per year.

“Organic farming is more difficult but safe and sustainable. I grow rice not only to sell but also to build consumer trust, so that my children and grandchildren can eat clean food and live healthy,” Mr. Duong shared.

From the legend of "dead fields" to living areas

After more than two decades of perseverance, the Dong Hoang area has completely transformed. The place that was once deserted with reeds is now a model farm: green clean rice, modern barns... Each year, this model brings in a total income of more than half a billion VND, creating jobs for 5 regular workers and 10 seasonal workers. Many delegations from all over come to learn about his model. Mr. Duong is willing to share his experiences, from soil improvement, waste treatment, to sustainable farming techniques.

At the age of over 60, Mr. Duong does not have the appearance of an agricultural tycoon but the image of an “intellectual farmer”, a person who has great aspirations and is willing to learn, dare to think, dare to do. He reads technical books every night, attends training courses, and regularly exchanges with agricultural experts to update new trends.

“I am not better than anyone else, the only difference is that I choose to do what others have not dared to do, which is to conquer the Wilderness. And I believe that if you are sincere with the land, the land will not let you down,” Mr. Duong confided.

22 years ago, Dong Hoang was a symbol of helplessness. Today, it has become a model of revival and determination. Mr. Duong has not only conquered the land, but also won the trust of the community, inspiring hundreds of farming households in and outside Thanh An commune.

Minh Tuan

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/nguoi-chinh-phuc-vung-dong-hoang-193999.htm