Disabled female pharmacist nurtures green dreams on pennywort

Green dreams on energetic feet

The scorching midday sun of the Central region seemed to soften on the face of Ms. Pham Thi Phuong with her gentle smile.

Coming to Nghi Huong ward, Cua Lo town, asking about Ms. Pham Thi Phuong, many people immediately remember this resilient woman. Although her life is always attached to a three-wheeled vehicle reserved for the disabled, she is always confident and optimistic as if she has never known pain or inferiority complex. Few people think that this small woman is a second-generation victim of Agent Orange, with legs that have been almost immobile since birth.

But when talking with her, listening to her introduce the model of "Growing pennywort using the circular hydroponic method", those physical limitations suddenly became blurred, completely covered by a strong spirit, full of desire to start a business and rise up.

Ms. Pham Thi Phuong with her garden of pennywort and pennywort products

Startup journey with pennywort

Since childhood, she has had to use wooden crutches and a wheelchair. Life is not as favorable as her peers, but that does not make her discouraged or self-conscious. Instead, it is the motivation for Ms. Phuong to overcome adversity.

Graduated from Nghe An Medical College with a pharmacist degree in hand, she knocked on the doors of many medical facilities and businesses with the desire to work and contribute. But due to difficulties in moving, no place dared to accept her. Not giving up, she opened a small pharmacy right at home in 2010. From a few initial boxes of medicine, her store gradually expanded, becoming a place where many people trust to come when they need health advice. With solid expertise and dedication, she gradually affirmed her position in the community.

The more she researched health care products, the more Pham Thi Phuong cherished the desire to be able to make her own clean, healthy products. With the knowledge of a pharmacist, Phuong learned about the value of pennywort. This is also a familiar plant, long associated with the people of her hometown Nghi Huong. Pennywort is not only a rustic vegetable in a country meal, but also an ingredient in making cool drinks, helping to dispel the harsh heat of the coastal region. However, over time, as land becomes scarce and population increases, the area for pennywort cultivation is increasingly narrowed.

The method of growing pennywort using circulating hydroponics helps create safe, chemical-free products, contributing to the green food supply chain.

Struggling with the question: How to preserve and develop pennywort effectively, safely and sustainably, Ms. Phuong decided to experiment with the method of growing pennywort using circulating hydroponics - a completely new direction for many local people.

Ms. Phuong said: The method of growing pennywort using a circulating hydroponic method is a method of growing pennywort combined with raising fish, creating a symbiotic circulating system, contributing to reducing environmental pollution and effectively utilizing land and water resources. The model will help create safe, chemical-free products, contributing to the green food supply chain; creating stable jobs for rural women and local women with disabilities.

Ms. Phuong presented the model at the 2024 Women's Entrepreneurship Competition.

She decided to invest 200 million VND to build a model of growing pennywort on an area of ​​over 200 square meters. The system includes over 1,200 meters of hydroponic pipes with holes, creating a growing medium for vegetables above, combined with fish ponds below. This combination creates a symbiotic ecosystem - where fish waste provides nutrients for plants, while plants filter water to help create a cleaner water environment for fish to live in.

In the first harvest of the model, Ms. Phuong burst into happiness when she harvested nearly 100 kg of finished pennywort. The fresh, clean, chemical-free bunches of vegetables quickly received a good reception from the market. After being dried, the product has even higher value and is trusted by many customers. According to the assessment of agricultural experts, pennywort in her model grows well, has stable quality and has the potential to be widely replicated in the area.

Ms. Phuong said that the project not only proves the success of a new agricultural method, instead of planting according to the primitive method, it can be done according to a closed-loop ecosystem, helping to save water and reduce waste of resources and environmental pollution; but also creates job opportunities for rural women, local women with disabilities and motivates other disadvantaged people in society to rise up.

For women entrepreneurs, especially women with disabilities, every small step forward is a big victory.

Ms. Pham Thi Phuong

The silent companions

On Ms. Pham Thi Phuong's entrepreneurial journey, although there are still difficulties and hardships ahead, she always has companions and supporters by her side.

It is her family and especially Mr. Phan Le Han - her life partner who always encourages and gives her positive energy, always strong enough to overcome all obstacles. It is the Women's Union at all levels - the bridge for Ms. Phuong to promote, introduce and bring the product further.

Family and all levels of Nghe An Provincial Women's Union always accompany Ms. Phuong on her entrepreneurial journey.

In 2024, Ms. Pham Thi Phuong's model was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the final round of the "Women's Creative Startup and Green Transformation" contest organized by the Vietnam Women's Union. The award is not only a recognition of her tireless efforts, but also a motivation for her to continue to replicate the model, sowing dreams and hopes for a green journey - a journey of courage, love and the desire to rise up and assert themselves of women.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nu-duoc-si-khuyet-tat-uom-uoc-mo-xanh-tren-cay-rau-ma-20250509160407614.htm