Intercropping aloe vera for short-term gain and long-term benefit

In the newly planted coffee and pepper gardens, farmers in Phuc Tho and Lam Ha have intercropped a special plant: aloe vera. Aloe vera is grown with the model of “taking short-term to support long-term”, helping farmers increase their income on the same area of land.

Mr. Vu Van Cao - Head of Phuc Tan village, Phuc Tho commune, Lam Ha district has just harvested a batch of aloe vera intercropped in a pepper garden. He commented: "Pepper plants planted on pillars have started to be harvested in the second year. But during the construction period of pepper plants, the plants are very small, and there is still a lot of vacant land. Therefore, we farmers have researched and seen what other crops can be intercropped to harvest, waiting for the pepper plants to grow. And aloe vera has been chosen by many people in the village, including my family". Mr. Vu Van Cao said that he has learned about the aloe vera planting model of some farmers in Duc Trong district, where there is a link to grow aloe vera with businesses in Ninh Thuan . Learning about the techniques, farming models, and output, he is confident in planting two sao of aloe vera intercropped in a pepper garden under construction.

“Aloe vera is very easy to grow, just make sure to water it enough every day for the plant to grow strong. A special thing to note is that aloe vera likes moisture but not waterlogging, it is easy for the plant and the leaves to rot. Therefore, in the dry season, the family waters it every day, in the rainy season, reduce the amount of watering, each time watering just wet the soil”, said Mr. Vu Van Cao. Aloe vera grows quickly, only 7-8 months after planting, it can be harvested. Currently, because the plant is still small, his family cuts it once a month, the average yield is 4 tons. After cutting, the company comes to the garden to harvest and pay the farmers, the family does not need to worry about output. He also said that the company guides farmers in great detail, from planting techniques to cutting techniques and payment is very quick.

While Mr. Vu Van Cao's family intercropped aloe vera in the pepper garden, Ms. Vo Thi Huong's family in Phuc Tien village, Phuc Tho commune intercropped aloe vera in the newly replanted coffee garden. Ms. Vo Thi Huong said that in June 2024, her family prepared the land and planted a new coffee garden. The Robusta coffee trees were planted according to regulations, the trees were still small, so there was a lot of vacant land. Learning from some farmers in the commune, Ms. Huong planted aloe vera. Ms. Huong shared: “Coffee trees take three years to grow and produce a stable harvest. During that time, farmers have no income for their families or the cost of caring for their coffee. Learning from many surrounding farmers, I planted aloe vera to earn a monthly income. Aloe vera plants are healthy, easy to care for, and produce a harvest very quickly. The money earned from the aloe vera garden is used by the family for daily living as well as to buy fertilizer for the coffee garden. In my opinion, planting aloe vera in newly replanted coffee gardens is quite effective.”

Mr. Dao Van Sang - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Phuc Tho Commune, Lam Ha District, said that the model of intercropping aloe vera in newly planted gardens is a new model of farmers in Phuc Tho Commune. Farmers often replant and plant new fruit trees, coffee trees, and pepper trees. And, farmers have created a way to intercrop because pepper and coffee trees take 3-4 years to begin to shade. During that time, intercropping aloe vera in vacant lots brings steady income to farmers. “We, the farmers who grow aloe vera, strictly follow the cultivation process instructed by the enterprise. This is also a new and safe production direction because farmers grow aloe vera under contract, closely linked with the purchasing unit. When planting, farmers do not need to worry about output, they just need to take good care to achieve high productivity. Phuc Tho commune evaluates this as an effective model, bringing income to farmers on the same area of land,” Mr. Dao Van Sang assessed.

According to Mr. Sang, currently, the models of intercropping aloe vera in pepper gardens and newly planted coffee gardens are developing very well, many farmers have been harvesting regularly. From the practical effectiveness, many farmers in the commune have begun to expand this model, bringing a new direction for farmers.

Source: http://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202411/trong-xen-nha-dam-lay-ngan-nuoi-dai-30824ac/