Farmers diversify their production.

With a determination to innovate, perseverance, and the support and encouragement of farmers' associations at all levels and local authorities, many farmers in An Giang have boldly adopted new production models to increase their income and improve their living standards.

Production transformation

For many years, the people of Binh Hoa hamlet, Chau Phu commune, have been familiar with the name Dinh Xuan Huy. For many years, Mr. Huy has been recognized as an outstanding farmer and businessman in the commune, actively participating in patriotic emulation movements in the locality. All the results he has achieved stem from his determination to transform production on his own land.

Farmers in My Qui hamlet increase their income by raising snakehead fish fingerlings. Photo: THANH TIEN

Previously, Mr. Huy only grew rice on his family's 1-hectare plot of land, earning 30-50 million VND per year from three rice harvests, barely enough to cover daily living expenses. With the support of the local government, he switched to a model of growing fruit trees combined with rice cultivation, increasing the application of science and technology in production. "To date, from growing rice and fruit trees, I earn a profit of 70-80 million VND per year. My family's finances are more stable," Mr. Huy shared.

With the results achieved, Mr. Huy believes that his own ambition and determination, along with the encouragement and guidance from the commune's Farmers' Association and local authorities, helped him boldly diversify his production, reducing his dependence on rice cultivation. As his life improved, Mr. Huy actively participated in patriotic emulation movements and social welfare activities in the locality. He mobilized residents of Binh Hoa hamlet to contribute over 300 million VND to build roads, bridges, and lay gravel to prevent muddy conditions on rural roads...

According to Mr. Huy, farmers need to diversify their production to keep pace with societal development. The rice market is often volatile, and the weather is unpredictable, causing farmers many difficulties in production. “When the rice is ready for harvest, we worry about a good harvest but low prices, and vice versa. Therefore, I decided to switch to cultivating fruit trees alongside rice to have a better income. In the long term, I encourage farmers to diversify their production, participate in collective economic activities, and link with businesses to have more stable markets and improve their livelihoods,” Mr. Huy said.

Livestock farming linkages

Having developed over many years, the snakehead fish farming industry in My Qui hamlet, Vinh Thanh Trung commune, has attracted many farmers. However, due to farmers mainly engaging in spontaneous farming with limited techniques, productivity remains low. The unstable market for purchasing the fish has caused concern among farmers. Understanding the farmers' concerns, the Vinh Thanh Trung Commune Farmers' Association and the My Qui hamlet leadership actively encouraged, guided, and supported farmers in establishing the My Qui Hamlet Snakehead Fish Farming Cooperative.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trung An, head of My Qui hamlet, the cooperative has 12 members with a total cultivated area of ​​7.5 hectares. The Farmers' Association of Vinh Thanh Trung commune, along with relevant departments, organized training courses to improve fish farming techniques for its members. This has helped the cooperative's operations become more organized, giving members confidence in participating in collective business. Mr. Nguyen Van Dang, a member of the My Qui hamlet Snakehead Fish Breeding Cooperative, said: “We are connected with several commercial snakehead fish farming cooperatives in Can Tho City and Vinh Long to supply them with quality fingerlings. Each harvest brings in a profit of 10-15 million VND, improving our family's living standards.”

Currently, some farmers in My Qui hamlet are planning to expand their snakehead fish breeding area and join cooperatives to ensure a more secure market and increase profits. Many farmers hope that the farmers' association and the agricultural sector will support snakehead fish breeders in My Qui hamlet in connecting with cooperatives and associations raising commercial snakehead fish inside and outside the province to secure a stable market.

Nguyen Quoc Thong, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Vinh Thanh Trung commune, said: "We regularly pay attention to and support members of the My Qui hamlet Snakehead Fish Breeding Cooperative to develop production and expand markets to improve their lives. When farmers' lives improve, they actively contribute to the development of their homeland."

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nong-dan-da-dang-hoa-san-xuat-a467591.html