Releasing these 6 animals into a bell pepper garden, people in a village in Lam Dong immediately saw something surprising.

Phi Lieng High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative was established in 2020, with members being farmers from Trung Tam village, Phi Lieng commune.

From the beginning, the cooperative has focused on high-tech agricultural production, providing high-quality agricultural products. With an initial number of 7 members, Phi Lieng Cooperative specializes in growing three types of plants, namely bell peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers in greenhouses.

Releasing predatory spiders into the bell pepper garden

Mr. Phi Van Thin - Young Director of Phi Lieng High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative shared that Phi Lieng land is quite cool, suitable for bell peppers and tomatoes. Therefore, members of the Cooperative focus on these two popular plants, grown in a standard greenhouse system. Mr. Thin shared that after months affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022, the production and business activities of the Cooperative began to improve.

“In 2022, the cooperative provided 280,000 tomato, bell pepper, and cucumber seedlings to members and cooperative households. We also provided nearly 200 tons of various fertilizers at a price 2,000 VND/kg lower than the market price for households and members. In particular, the cooperative purchased products for members as well as 33 associated households with an output of 600 tons of bell pepper, tomatoes, and cucumbers,” Phi Van Thin recalled the days when the cooperative recovered after the pandemic.

In the first year after the pandemic, the cooperative brought in a total revenue of 15 billion VND for its members, a truly encouraging number for farmers in remote areas.

In 2023, the total greenhouse area of ​​cooperative members is 4 hectares and that of associated farmers is 6 hectares. The cooperative produces and consumes approximately 1,000 tons of various agricultural products. The income of 20 billion VND in 2023 shows that the products of the associated farmers have given positive results. Vegetables and fruits of the cooperative are sold in supermarket systems and large stores, reaching a wide range of consumers nationwide.

“Growing bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes all require a greenhouse environment with very strict farming processes, requiring safety assurance. Farmers as well as associate members of Phi Lieng Cooperative have met VietGAP farming processes and are aiming to produce organic and clean agricultural products,” said Mr. Phi Van Thin.

One of the most outstanding features of Phi Lieng Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative is that the Cooperative is shifting to organic production. The Cooperative has partnered with Dalat Hasfarm Company to introduce natural enemies into the bell pepper garden.

Mr. Phi Van Thin shared: “In fact, farmers growing chili and tomatoes in greenhouses always ensure the spraying process according to the regulations of the agricultural sector. But we admit that, to produce cleaner, organic products, farmers must know how to apply high-tech agriculture and use natural enemies. With the guidance of Dalat Hasfarm Company, we have tested on four gardens with an area of ​​1 hectare, releasing 6 types of natural enemies such as spiders, stink bugs... into the garden to treat silkworms, green worms, harmful insects in the garden, limiting the use of pesticides.

It must be said that the complete change in farming habits from spraying pesticides to using natural enemies has caused many farmers to be bewildered. However, with positive results, we have determined that raising natural enemies and not using pesticides is the direction for the future of Phi Lieng High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative.

Mr. Phi Van Thin shared that the natural enemy seeds provided by Dalat Hasfarm Company are very expensive. The effectiveness of natural enemies in tomato and bell pepper cultivation of the cooperative is very good, but the source of seeds is still a concern for farmers. Therefore, Mr. Thin revealed that the cooperative is experimenting with seed production by proactively raising natural enemies for reproduction, and producing seeds right in the garden.

Mr. Thin said that farmers cannot have research facilities like Dalat Hasfarm Company, but he and other farmers have also experimented in local conditions, building cages and stretching mosquito nets to test natural enemies to reproduce at home. He hopes that with the perseverance of farmers, natural enemies will live well and reproduce in the simple conditions of a remote cooperative.

Mr. Nguyen Van Bao - Deputy General Director of Dalat Hasfarm Company said that the company is supporting a 20% discount as well as training and providing technical guidance very carefully and thoughtfully to members of Phi Lieng Cooperative as well as the Associated Farmers' Association. Mr. Bao shared that with the common goal of building a safe agriculture, Dalat Hasfarm is ready to accompany farmers to widely popularize the breeding of natural enemies to eradicate harmful insects instead of using pesticides. And, Phi Lieng High-Tech Agricultural Application Cooperative is one of Dalat Hasfarm's successful partners and is aiming to expand the area of ​​​​using natural enemies, towards a green agricultural area.

Source: https://danviet.vn/tha-6-con-dong-vat-nay-vo-vuon-ot-chuong-dan-mot-thon-o-lam-dong-lien-thay-dieu-bat-ngo-20241009144558415.htm