Retired engineer with passion for organic farming

Photo caption — Ho Chi Minh City farmers with organic farming .

From agricultural extension to organic vegetable growers

Leading us through the lush green vegetable beds, engineer Vo Thanh Dung recounted his journey with the profession. Previously, he worked at the Forestry Science Research Center and the Ho Chi Minh City Agricultural Extension Center. It was his time as an agricultural extension worker that helped him form the belief that only the organic path is truly sustainable.

“At that time, many people did not believe in organic. But I was determined to research books and the internet to apply it appropriately to the reality of the farm with the desire to create organic products at reasonable prices for consumers,” Mr. Dung said.

After retiring at the age of 60, he accepted the position of Deputy Technical Director of Truong Thinh Cooperative. However, when he realized that the production process was not really strict, he chose a bolder step: renting land in An Nhon Tay commune to personally manage the entire cultivation process.

In 2021, Ut Dung Organic Vegetable Farm was officially established. In the early years, Mr. Dung spent all his time improving the soil, "cleaning" chemicals and heavy metals. It was not until 2023 that the farm was certified according to TCVN 11041, the organic agriculture standard for the period 2023 - 2025 and has now been re-certified for the period 2025 - 2027.

However, a new challenge has emerged: the output of the product. “People are used to eating cheap vegetables, while organic vegetables cost more, so the selling price is inevitably higher. If they don’t buy them, how can farmers survive?” Mr. Dung worried.

Not giving up, he personally brought vegetables to sell everywhere, from the countryside markets to every small alley, patiently introducing and adjusting prices for each customer group and telling the story of the origin of organic vegetables. Thanks to that, the Ut Dung organic vegetable brand gradually became known, especially after participating in connection programs organized by the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City, the Farmers' Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the People's Committee of the commune...

From many years of farming experience, Mr. Dung concluded that organic agriculture brings three core values: increasingly fertile soil, reduced fertilizer costs; farmers no longer have to come into contact with toxic chemicals; consumers can use safe products, without worrying about toxic residues.

“That’s why I stuck with organic farming despite heavy losses at first. Organic farming is not a quick journey, but a long one. Farmers must be truly passionate, patient and endure hardship to stick with it,” Mr. Dung said frankly.

"Taking the soil as the root" is the philosophy of vegetable growers

According to Mr. Vo Thanh Dung, to be sustainable with organic agriculture, farmers need to have four factors: stable land, strong capital, agricultural knowledge - especially biotechnology and the ability to connect with the market.

“Farmers do not need to know too much, but they must know how to improve technology and the process of making biological nutrient solutions to apply to farming, helping to reduce costs. Only then will organic vegetables be competitive enough. Only when the price is reasonable, will organic products no longer be a specialty of the few but become the choice of the majority,” Mr. Dung emphasized.

Currently, Ut Dung Vegetable Farm has an area of 1 hectare, of which 8,000 m2 are invested in greenhouses, specializing in growing 13 types of vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, sweet cabbage, bok choy, green mustard, mustard greens... On average, each hectare of organic vegetables yields 4 - 5 tons/month, with a selling price of about 35,000 VND/kg, about 30% higher than regular vegetables.

According to Mr. Dung, the biggest difference between organic and inorganic is the philosophy of “taking the soil as the root”. Before each new crop, he lets the soil rest, exposes it to the sun, and treats fungal diseases to help the soil recover. “When the soil is healthy, the plants are also healthy, have fewer pests and grow more naturally,” he shared.

Organic vegetables may not be as shiny and smooth as non-organic vegetables, but in return, they bring absolute peace of mind. “Consumers now not only want to eat their fill but also want to ‘eat green and eat clean’ and this habit is paving the way for organic agricultural products to thrive, even in the export market,” said Mr. Dung.

In the context of Vietnam's commitment to Net Zero by 2050, each organic vegetable bed not only contributes to protecting public health but also helps reduce emissions, preserve land and water resources, and create a green ecosystem.

From that orientation, Ut Dung vegetables gradually affirmed their position in the market. Many supermarket chains in Ho Chi Minh City want to cooperate long-term, but the biggest barrier is still capital. "Supermarkets need a stable and abundant supply while I do not have enough capacity to expand production," he shared.

Mr. Dung hopes to access capital from the Farmer Support Fund and receive further support from local authorities to replicate the model, moving towards forming an organic specialized farming area in An Nhon Tay.

“Organic is not only a farming philosophy but also a way to escape poverty and become rich. Any farmer can have land if they know how to connect with units with brands and standard processes, it will be easy to produce,” Mr. Dung affirmed.

After many years of perseverance, Ut Dung Organic Vegetable Farm has gradually stabilized and started to make a profit. “I am willing to transfer technology and purchase products for households who want to do organic farming, to together turn An Nhon Tay into an area specializing in organic vegetables, with closed-loop production,” Mr. Dung shared.

Currently, his vegetable farm model is considered a bright spot of An Nhon Tay commune, in line with the development orientation of ecological, modern and sustainable urban agriculture of Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/nguoi-ky-su-ve-huu-voi-dam-me-nong-nghiep-huu-co-20251109163014969.htm