From mounting difficulties to turning points in life
After being discharged from the army in 1992, Mr. Nguyen Van Tam (55 years old, residing in My Thuan commune, Vinh Long province - formerly My Thuan commune, Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province) returned to his hometown with belongings that were only the will of a soldier.
With no land for production, he and his wife have to struggle to find a job to raise their two children to study. Life went on in hardship, until 2020, a chance conversation with a cousin opened up a new direction.
"Seeing that I was struggling, my cousin advised me to raise incense sticks," Mr. Tam recalled.
According to Mr. Tam, at first, he was quite unfamiliar with this animal of high economic value. However, after researching and visiting successful models, he has realized great potential.
Despite being opposed by his wife for fear of risks, Mr. Tam still persistently borrowed 50 million VND from the bank to start this bold journey. Seeing her husband's determination and initial positive results, his wife gradually changed her attitude and became a powerful companion.
A methodical, closed-mitting livestock model brings high efficiency
Mr. Tam's incense farm is neatly located behind the house, 4,000m2 wide. The special feature of the model is the combination of livestock farming and farming. He grows soursop in the garden, creating shade and providing natural food sources. The barn system is scientifically built, divided into separate areas for post-harvest, breeding and commercial harness.
"At first, I only dared to buy 3 breeds. After more than 10 months, I have chosen a good one to breed, and I will sell the weaker one to sell the products," Mr. Tam shared.
Thanks to his methodical approach, his herd has developed. Recently, he has invested an additional 100 million VND to build 65 new barns, bringing the total number of flock to nearly 100.
Stable income, sustainable enrichment
Mr. Tam's incense sticky rice farming model brings a dreamable source of income. Seedlings range in price from 4 to more than 30 million VND/head, while commercial fish weighing over 2 kg/head are priced at about 1.3 million VND/kg.
All products are covered by familiar relationships, ensuring stable output. Thanks to that, each year, Mr. Tam regularly earns a profit of over 200 million VND.
The secret to his success lies not only in his effective livestock farming model but also in his meticulousness in care. The fish is eaten at a meal/day with a variety of portions, such as: fish, frog, field crab, banana, jackfruit... The fish is frozen and mixed with digestive enzymes when given to the fish, helping the fish to absorb better. In addition, regular vaccination every 6 months helps the herd stay healthy and increase resistance.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vu - Chairman of the Veterans Association of My Thuan commune (Vinh Long province) - informed that Mr. Tam's incense-clearing model not only helps his family escape poverty but also spreads the spirit of overcoming difficulties and getting rich legitimately to many other households. On the side of the authorities, it also creates conditions for people such as granting livestock licenses and supporting loans.
Mr. Tam's journey is a vivid testament to perseverance, constantly learning and daring to change. From empty hands, he has built a solid future, becoming a shining example of entrepreneurship in the locality.
