Quit a job with a salary of 40 million/month, moved from Saigon to Da Lat just to grow tomatoes, the garden is as beautiful as in the movies

Giving up a salary of 40 million VND per month in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Chau Ngoc Hai decided to go to Da Lat City (Lam Dong Province) to grow tomatoes, which initially brought high efficiency.

Following Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Xuan Tho Commune, we came to the 2,000m2 tomato garden of Mr. Chau Ngoc Hai's family (49 years old, Da Tho village, Xuan Tho commune, Da Lat city, Lam Dong province). The story of "leaving the city to return to the countryside" is a popular story in recent times, but not everyone can do Mr. Hai's way of doing things and having good results.

Mr. Chau Ngoc Hai quit his job with a salary of 40 million to return to Da Lat city to grow tomatoes.

Introducing his tomato garden grown on coconut fiber substrate, Mr. Hai said that he has only grown tomatoes for 2 crops, but initially it has been effective and will be stable with his method. The fact that he is a specialist in technology and engineering has helped him a lot in his agricultural work in Da Lat City.

"I was born and raised in Da Lat City. After graduating from Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, I stayed and worked for about 20 years. During this time, I was in charge of the technology sector for Dien Quang Group in Ho Chi Minh City, with a monthly salary of about 40 million VND. Therefore, I had the opportunity to work with many brothers in technology and engineering, so I didn't know when I fell in love with it.

Starting in 2023, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic situation was difficult, I wanted to change direction and not work in Ho Chi Minh City anymore but wanted to return to Da Lat City to do a new job. In Da Lat, I already had land and my younger brother specialized in growing tomatoes, so the initial foundation was there," Hai shared.

Because he is a specialist in engineering and technology, Mr. Hai adapted very quickly to high-tech agriculture.

Having had the intention, Mr. Hai was then suggested by his younger brother several times so he decided to quit his job in Ho Chi Minh City with a salary of 40 million to return to Da Lat. Mr. Hai returned to do farming on his 2,000m2 land in Xuan Tho commune.

While pruning leaves and fruits in her tomato garden, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen Thu (Mr. Hai's wife) said: "I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City. When I heard my husband decided to return to his hometown in Da Lat, I had a lot of emotions.

However, when the man, the pillar of the family, made such a decision, he must have thought a lot. Therefore, I supported and followed my husband to Da Lat to do farming.

At first, we were supported by Mr. Hai's younger brother with seedlings and techniques, so our initial foundation was quite solid.

Mr. Hai specializes in engineering and technology, so he adapted very quickly. Up to now, we have grown 2 tomato crops, and initially it seems quite stable. The first crop we grew in a greenhouse but in the ground, but this time my wife and I grew it on coconut fiber substrate, so the quality is much higher."

Ms. Thu supported and went to Da Lat city to do farming with her husband.

After moving to Da Lat to work, Mr. Hai researched and installed an automatic irrigation system, fertilizer and drip irrigation. It both saves water and meets the requirements of high-tech agriculture.

The automatic irrigation and fertilization system was researched and installed by Mr. Hai.

Mr. Hai's tomatoes are ready for harvest in 2024.

Mr. Hai is currently growing tomatoes in a clean agricultural direction with 50% organic and 50% inorganic. According to Mr. Hai, if tomatoes are grown 100% organically, the tomatoes will not reach the weight and appearance standards for export to the market. Therefore, he must supplement inorganic substances for the tomato plants to grow.

"In 2023, my husband and I planted tomatoes in a greenhouse but planted them in the ground. Tomatoes are only harvested for about 6 months. With 2,000 square meters, my husband and I harvested about 12 tons of tomatoes, selling them at prices ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 VND/kg, earning about 300 million VND.

In 2024, when we got used to the technique, we planted tomatoes on coconut fiber substrate. There are only about 10 days left until harvest, but we believe that the yield and harvest time will double compared to 2023," Hai shared.

In 2023, Mr. Hai and his wife earned 300 million VND from growing tomatoes.

In early 2024, Mr. Hai and more than 10 households in the village established the Dalat Organic Farm cooperative. Mr. Hai's cooperative is currently growing tomatoes and flowers locally. Mr. Hai hopes that in the coming time, cooperative members will gradually form the habit of applying high technology in agriculture, as well as growing high-yield crops to bring to the market.

Source: https://danviet.vn/bo-viec-luong-40-trieu-hang-tu-sai-gon-ve-da-lat-chi-de-trong-ca-chua-vuon-dep-nhu-phim-luon-20241106154444362.htm