Mr. Ly checks the growth process of the lotus.

The beauty of the lotus fields captivated us, prompting us to pull over to the shade by the roadside and enjoy the serene atmosphere. Just then, Mr. Pham Ba Ly, his boots stained with mud, was walking along the fields, checking on the growth of the lotus plants that were nearing harvest time.

For the past six years, Mr. Ly has been cultivating lotus on a 3-hectare plot. “We start planting in January and harvest the seeds in May. After that, we harvest the tubers. The cultivation process requires constant monitoring of the fields, checking growth, spraying pesticides, fertilizing, and controlling snails…” – Mr. Pham Ba Ly explained about his production process. He also stated that lotus seeds from this region are fragrant and tender, so they fetch a higher price than elsewhere, averaging 200,000-220,000 VND/kg, sometimes reaching 270,000 VND/kg for dried seeds, and are always in high demand. With 3 hectares, after deducting land rental and other expenses, his family earns a net profit of around 30 million VND per crop from lotus seeds and over 200 million VND per crop from lotus tubers.

Mr. Ly recounted the story of how he "fell in love" with lotus flowers with great emotion. Previously, he earned a living as a craftsman, using a trowel to paint and shape mythical creatures and decorative patterns on religious buildings, temples, and tombs. He always focused on learning, accumulating experience and techniques, improving his skills, and enduring the sun, rain, hardship, and sweat to ensure his family had a comfortable life.

The wages of skilled lotus weavers are always high, so Mr. Ly's income is always stable. Thanks to his hard work and perseverance, traveling with fellow artisans from one locality to another to work, Mr. Ly never lacked work. This allowed him and his wife to raise their children, enabling them to graduate from university. Six years ago, the Vinh Thanh commune government (now part of Phu Vinh commune) encouraged local residents to utilize abandoned low-lying land to cultivate lotus, developing the local economy . Simultaneously, the local government planned a lotus cultivation area and developed a community tourism model, prompting Mr. Ly to shift his focus to lotus farming.

Mr. Ly shared: "At that time, my children were at an age where they really needed the closeness, care, and guidance of their father. Having a job 'right next door,' ensuring income and providing emotional support for my children, while also contributing a little to beautifying the landscape and attracting tourists , I was one of the first to respond to the local lotus planting movement."

From the first lotus crop until now, Mr. Ly has toiled daily in his 3-hectare lotus fields, pouring his heart and sweat into ensuring consistently successful harvests. He has established regular buyers who purchase both lotus seeds and tubers directly from his fields. He also researches online, applies scientific and technical knowledge, and invests in machinery for harvesting lotus tubers, replacing the previous laborious and inefficient manual digging methods. Nearly 250 million VND in net profit each year is the result of his hard work, allowing Mr. Ly to thrive with lotus cultivation. His joy is amplified each season as the lotus blooms, adding even more beauty and fragrance to Phu Vinh.

In Phu Vinh commune, there are nearly 15 households growing lotus with a total area of ​​about 20 hectares. Highly appreciating the spirit and production efficiency of Mr. Phan Ba ​​Ly, Mr. Tran Dinh Nguyen, Vice Chairman of the Phu Vinh Commune Farmers' Association, said: "Throughout the lotus season, Mr. Ly spends every day 'in the fields.' His family has the largest cultivated area and the highest yield and product quality. After harvesting the lotus, during his two months of free time, Mr. Ly works as a laborer, increasing his income and ensuring he doesn't have any idle time. The spirit of labor and production, and the economic efficiency achieved by the diligent and hardworking farmer Phan Ba ​​Ly, is an example and motivation for people in the area to strive and develop their economy."

Text and photos: Quynh Anh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/song-khoe-tu-nhung-ruong-sen-165338.html