Tue Tinh gets rich from the fields: [Article 3] Chili plants take root to reduce poverty

On the changing Tue Tinh field, the first rows of chili peppers of the season appear as a new signal for the farmers' journey to get rich.

In the last days of the year, the fields of Tue Tinh commune (Hai Phong city) seem to be wearing a new coat. Among the rows of green carrots, the symbol of more than 40 years of persistent "land opening" of Duc Chinh people, rows of young chili are stretching out, signaling a hopeful transformation. But the journey of those chili rows is not only a story of "changing plants", but also a journey of narrowing the information gap in agricultural production, where knowledge is passed on from word of mouth from field training sessions, where farmers first access a new source of information, clear, easy to understand and closest to their lives.

Chili peppers sprouted after training.

In the series of articles “Tue Tinh gets rich from the fields”, if article 1 tells the story of Duc Chinh bringing knowledge of growing carrots to all regions, article 2 records the bustling atmosphere of the first training session with chili plants, then article 3 is the continuation of that flow: explaining why chili plants - a completely new plant to the locality quickly won the trust of the people. And more importantly: why training sessions and new information channels become a "launching pad" to help people boldly overcome psychological and knowledge barriers to change their livelihoods.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thuat, Director of Duc Chinh Agricultural Service Cooperative, Tue Tinh Commune, who has been with the people for more than 30 years, shared that after many years of growing carrots, the land has shown signs of fading, diseases and unusual weather have increased risks. “We have to think long-term. Carrots are still the main crop, but people need more suitable and safer plants. Chili peppers are a good choice, but if we want people to believe and follow, the first thing is to provide complete and transparent information,” he said.

That is also the reason why since July this year, the Cooperative has coordinated with Lucavi Company Limited to deploy a chili pilot model on 7 hectares. Although the number is still modest, it is of great significance because almost all participating households are approaching new crops for the first time. In reality, when lacking information, farmers are often hesitant about any change. Only when the "information gap" is overcome by direct exchanges, clear documents or field-based instructions, can people confidently enter the transformation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dang Cuong, Lucavi Company Limited organized three seminars in Tue Tinh commune to introduce chili plants, evaluate adaptability and provide technical guidance to members before implementation. Photo: Lan Chi.

Correct information - a bridge to help farmers boldly innovate

To convince farmers, who are already familiar with carrots, to switch to growing chili, communication and training are given special importance by the Cooperative and the enterprise. No one can grow a new crop by just persuasion; farmers need to see it with their own eyes, touch it with their own hands, and hear specific analysis.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Cuong, Director of Lucavi Company Limited, said that the company had organized three seminars in Tue Tinh commune to introduce chili peppers, assess their adaptability and provide technical guidance before implementation. “People grow carrots very effectively, so it is not easy to persuade them to switch to other crops. But when they are provided with clear information on productivity, costs, harvest time and risks, they begin to see opportunities,” he said.

Not only stopping at the training session, the company also maintains a continuous information channel: technical support, messaging via Zalo group, monitoring the growth and development of plants every day. This is the most effective way to provide people with the data they need, at the right time and in the way they can receive it most easily.

In addition, the company commits to purchasing products at a price of 7,000 - 7,500 VND/kg depending on the variety, with an average profit of about 15 million VND/sao, with some households achieving 30 million VND/sao. These transparent figures are important information to help people confidently calculate and make decisions.

The advantage of chili is that it does not degrade the soil quickly and has less pesticide residue than carrots. Photo: Pham Hoang.

Mr. Cuong added: “The advantage of chili is that it does not degrade the soil quickly and has less pesticide residue than carrots. It can be grown on degraded or degraded soil. When farmers have enough information to compare, they will find the most suitable answer.”

The first chili rows and the people's new faith

In the middle of a windy field, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Loi in Yen Vu village, Tue Tinh commune stands next to a row of chili plants that have taken root for more than 30 days. Previously, she only grew carrots and vegetables. But after being encouraged by the cooperative and receiving technical training, she decided to switch to growing chili plants on 2 sao of land.

“At first, I was very worried, afraid that I wouldn’t know how to take care of it. But with the technical staff coming to the field to guide me, and having a Zalo group to ask questions at any time, I feel much more secure now. I just hope the weather is favorable so that I can have a smooth first crop,” Ms. Loi shared.

Not far away, another member of the Duc Chinh Agricultural Service Cooperative assessed that chili plants are “easier” than imagined: “Now with drip irrigation, you just have to press a button from home, and if there are any pests or diseases, you can immediately report to the group. I’m old, but I’m used to it.” That simple story clearly shows that when farmers are equipped with enough information, they are not “afraid of innovation” as many people think.

Farmers in Tue Tinh commune believe that chili plants can become a new way to get rich for them. Photo: Xuan Phuong.

After about 4 months of implementation, the chili rows in Tue Tinh field have stood up, flowered, and promised to be harvested in just a few weeks. Although it is the first crop, the company has calculated a "yield insurance" plan to reduce risks for members, which helps farmers feel secure in production.

Mr. Cuong affirmed: “We have implemented this model in many northern provinces and all have had good results. Duc Chinh, now Tue Tinh, has a long tradition of growing vegetables, so chili can absolutely become a new way to get rich.”

Obviously, trust comes not only from economic efficiency, but also from the completeness of information: technical information, market information, risk information and new information channels. And when the information gap is narrowed, farmers are no longer left out of the market flow.

That belief is spreading in the hearts of many Tue Tinh people who once brought carrots to "open land" all over the region, and now they are starting a new journey: the journey of chili plants signaling a bountiful harvest season, of knowledge shared at the right time that has helped people here reduce poverty substantially and sustainably right on their own family fields.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/tue-tinh-lam-giau-tu-ruong-dong-bai-3-cay-ot-ben-re-giam-ngheo-d787170.html