Both graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Hong Duc University, Ms. Duong Thi Bang and her husband have always cherished the idea of building a modern agricultural model that is true to their training profession. Up to now, the high-tech grape and flower farm, which welcomes visitors to experience and visit, of the two 8X engineers, has taken shape and is operating quite stably in Dong Loi commune, Trieu Son district.
Having specialized knowledge in agriculture, Duong Thi Bang and her husband are still the main workers on the farm following their passion.
Located more than 10km from Thanh Hoa City is a modern farm right along the road from Thanh Hoa City connecting with the traffic route from Tho Xuan Airport to Nghi Son Economic Zone in Dong Loi Commune. Under the covered trellises are nearly 1,000 grapevines - a new crop introduced by the farm owner.
These early days of June, the grapes are full of bunches of fruit, which is the best time to welcome visitors to experience. According to the plan, the end of June and the beginning of July is the time to harvest grapes.
“The first crop of 2024 will be a bumper crop, with an expected yield of about 4 tons of fruit, including about 2.5 tons of Korean milk grapes and 1.5 tons of black summer grapes,” said Mr. Hoang Thanh Minh, Ms. Bang’s husband.
Along with developing farming, Minh and Bang also develop sightseeing and experience activities during the main season and grape harvest days. On holidays and weekends, dozens to hundreds of people come to experience. The good news spread far and wide, many kindergartens in Thanh Hoa City and neighboring districts also organize to bring their children to visit and play at this farm.
It is known that in 2011, after completing their studies and leaving university, Minh and Bang became husband and wife. The early days of the agricultural engineer couple were also full of hardships. With no job, she stayed home to do traditional farming to pursue her passion. He went to work for a planning company in Thanh Hoa City to find a way to make a living. Due to work, in 2015, he continued to work at the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex Project. In 2017, when he returned to his hometown, he was accepted to work at the People's Committee of Dong Loi Commune.
Mr. Hoang Thanh Minh takes care of grapes.
No matter where they work, their passion and desire for agriculture never fades. The couple discussed building a model different from the traditional farming in the locality to create a breakthrough. Then, after finding information that some places in the North have successfully grown grapes, they researched the technique. According to Minh, as a commune official in charge of agriculture, he should be a pioneer.
But to make the dream come true, they needed a large enough area. They consolidated their agricultural land closer to their house, and then went through a process of completing the paperwork. It was not easy to persuade their neighbors, but they were not discouraged.
“Although they are no longer interested in agricultural production, many households still do not want to convert or transfer. Since 2017, I have had to go to each house in the village to persuade them to lease it back, and even buy back the right to use it. It was not until 2019 that we were able to consolidate it into a 1-hectare concentrated production area like today,” Minh confided.
Initially, they grew flowers and agricultural crops to earn a living, gradually completing the infrastructure. By 2021, the agricultural engineer couple had enough capital to build vineyards with iron trellises and a smart drip irrigation system. With their knowledge of cultivation, passion and learning, after nearly a year of construction, the vineyard bore fruit, bringing in unexpected income.
“With 2,500m2 of grape cultivation, in 2023, it brought in a revenue of 800 million VND, a profit of about half of the revenue. This year, we are preparing to harvest the first crop, continuing to have a good harvest with about 4 tons of fruit. Due to organic farming and safe production, traders inside and outside the province have pre-ordered to supply supermarket systems and safe food supply systems nationwide. The price at the garden this season is expected to be from 300 to 350 thousand VND/kg of Korean milk grapes and 150 thousand VND/kg of black summer grapes," Mr. Minh shared.
In addition to the grape growing area, the farm grows many types of flowers such as dragon claw, sunflower, and butterfly pea... to serve visitors who come to check in and visit. According to Ms. Bang, welcoming guests is just a side business, but in the past 2 years, it has also brought in an income of 50 to 70 million VND per year from related services.
It is expected that the end of June and beginning of July will be the grape harvest time.
With specialized knowledge, the couple is still the main laborer on the farm. For this boss born in 1987, in addition to administrative time at the commune, when he returns home, he rolls up his sleeves to work to satisfy his passion. As Chairman of the Farmers' Association and Vice Chairman of the Gardening and Farming Association of Dong Loi commune, he must be a pioneer in developing modern agriculture to renew the agriculture of his hometown. According to the plan, in the coming time, the couple will continue to expand the grape growing area and promote propaganda for more visitors to experience.
Secretary of Dong Loi Commune Party Committee Le Dinh Son said: “Mr. Minh is a young, dynamic cadre with a passion for agriculture. Although he still has to continue investing and perfecting production infrastructure, his farm has become a typical example in local agricultural development. This is also the model chosen by the commune as a model farm in the New Rural Development Program to create an effect and expand it.”
Article and photos: Le Dong
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