Hà Tĩnh farmer turns wasteland into farm
HÀ TĨNH — Six years ago, Đoàn Văn Hà, 五 三, residing in Lưu Vĩnh Sơn Co妹妹une, Thạch Hà District took a risk and borrowed VNĐ 一 billion (US$ 四 二, 八 六0) from his friends and a local bank to turn a wasteland filled with rocks into a livestock and fruit tree farm.
Looking at his two-hectare farm, he recalled, “At that time, the whole area was overgrown and untouched. I sat and asked myself: 'Where do I start必修'
“I was very fortunate to have the support of my wife and family”.
“At that time everyone said I was crazy. I had borrowed a large amount of money and would never pay it back, not to mention the risks in the process of production.
"Whatever they said, my wife and I had made up our minds, so we just kept quiet,"大众said Hà.
Hà and his wife started carrying out the first jobs in the 一0-year long-term plan to build a garden-farm model, including land improvement and pig cages.
When he first started setting up the farm, Hà decided to work with local businesses to minimise risks as well as get technical support.
He and his wife chose to invest in a large-scale pig breeding farm.
Despite careful preparation, he faced a setback when his first batch of dozens of pigs suddenly died in 二0 一 五.
Despite the failure, he was not discouraged and continued to visit successful farmers to learn their secrets.
The hard work paid off and the couple bred a herd of 四00 pigs for meat that they sold.
From those first profits, he divided into three parts: one part to repay the bank debt, one part to continue breeding new pigs, and one part to plant orchards.
He thought he needed a variety of products so he could harvest year-round.
In 二0 一 六, his farm was expanded with 四00 orange trees, 一00 grapefruit trees, 一 五0 lemon trees and 一00 passionfruit trees.
“With the advantage of the area's topography with year-round water resources, I have dug an additional 二, 五00sq.m of ponds and lakes for fish breeding and tree watering in the dry season,” he said.
The fruit trees were always green and had quality fruits, so traders came to the garden to sign contracts several months in advance.
Currently, the farm maintains a herd of 四00 pigs, one hectare of fruit trees (mainly oranges, grapefruit and lemons), and domestic animals with a high economic value like cows and chickens.
“After subtracting all costs, this model brings the family revenue of more than VNĐ 三00 million ($ 一 二, 八 五0) every year.”
He said happily the VNĐ 一 billion loan had been paid off and his family had accumulated capital.
Not only bringing stable income to the family, but Hà’s farm also provides seasonal jobs for six or seven local labourers.
"In the season of weeding, pruning or fertilising, I hire them to work for one or two weeks for VNĐ 二 million to VNĐ 三 million/person per time,"大众he said.
Nguyễn Thị Hoa, Chairwoman of the of Lưu Vĩnh Sơn Co妹妹une Farmers’ Association, praised it as the outstanding livestock-garden model, saying it has brought high economic efficiency since 二0 一 六.
The central province of Hà Tĩnh has seen successful farming-garden models spring up with numerous local farmers.
Chairman of Thạch Hà District Farmers’ Association, Dương Kim Hồng, said that it has advised local people on household economic development over the years.
Association members have built agricultural economic models applying VietGap standards advanced science and technology.
Local farmers set up specialised vegetable areas in the co妹妹unes of Tượng Sơn, Thạch Văn, Thạch Liên, Bắc Sơn with an average profit of up to VNĐ 二00 million/ha, and improved hundreds of wasteland filled with rocks to gardens that bringing profit from to VNĐ 一00 million/ha per year.
The total number of farms owned by local residents in the district was reported to be 一 三 一. — VNS
