Old farmer in Can Tho earns more than 350 million VND/year from growing water spinach

Tạ Quang |

Can Tho - O Tam Bi has emerged as a typical example of a clean vegetable production model, bringing high economic efficiency and contributing to sustainable agricultural development.

Fall with water spinach

Previously, people in Thoi An ward (now O Mon ward, Can Tho city) mainly chose plants with seen branches to develop the economy. However, erratic weather, many pests and unstable prices have caused this model to gradually lose its position. Many households were forced to switch to growing vegetables, including Mr. Nguyen Van Bi (commonly known as Tam Bi, born in 1960, Thoi Hoa area).

Ong Nguyen Van Bi (ten thuong goi la Tam Bi, sinh nam 1960, khu vuc Thoi Hoa). Anh: Ta Quang
Mr. Nguyen Van Bi (commonly known as Tam Bi, born in 1960, Thoi Hoa area, O Mon ward, Can Tho city). Photo: Ta Quang

Mr. Tam Bi said that in the early days, the road for growing vegetables was not flat. According to him, sometimes vegetables are as cheap as watercress, and growers suffer heavy losses because customers turn their backs on products using chemicals.

While many people gave up, Mr. Tam Bi still persistently stuck, self-medeled to learn techniques and research safe farming methods to produce clean vegetables.

In 2005, from 5 hectares of land, Mr. Tam Bi invested in growing water spinach in an organic direction, minimizing chemical pesticides. The highlight of the model is the application of modern technology in production.

HTX cua ong duy tri phat trien on dinh, giai quyet viec lam cho nhieu lao dong. Anh: Ta Quang
His cooperative maintains stable development, creating jobs for many workers. Photo: Ta Quang

Mr. Tam Bi has proactively installed an automatic irrigation system controlled by smartphone, helping to save water, reduce labor and improve the quality of agricultural products. In particular, the railway system transporting vegetables from the garden to the gathering place designed by him has helped the harvesting and delivery process take place quickly and conveniently.

The production process at Mr. Tam Bi's facility is carried out methodically and closely from planting, care, harvesting, cleaning to packaging. With the method of growing "glycemia" (daily star fruit, harvested after 18 days), he has a steady income. He shared that vegetables are automatically watered twice a day, only fertilized organically and no pesticides are used, thanks to which water spinach is always clean and safe.

Spreading models, creating communities

In July 2010, his water spinach growing cooperative was upgraded to Hoa Phat Safety Vegetable Cooperative, with 10 members and a 5ha cultivation area, supplying the market with 4-5 tons of clean water spinach per day. Thanks to the pioneering and effective model, many local households have followed suit. Up to now, the whole Thoi Hoa area has about 70 households growing water spinach on an area of over 180 hectares, produced according to VietGAP standards, providing about 18 tons of water spinach to the market per day.

He thong duong ray van chuyen rau tu vuon den noi tap ket. Anh: Ta Quang
Railway system to transport vegetables from the garden to the gathering place. Photo: Ta Quang

Thanks to growing water spinach, Mr. Tam Bi earns more than 350 million VND/year. Over the past 15 years, his cooperative has maintained stable development, creating jobs for 7-10 workers with an income of 250,000 VND/person/day. In total, the Thoi Hoa area creates jobs for nearly 200 on-site workers.

Not only a good farmer - trader, Mr. Tam Bi is also a person with a heart for the community. He always helps people in difficulty, and especially actively mobilizes people and businesses to contribute to repairing, upgrading roads and building bridges. Most recently, he called for contributions to pour concrete for more than 10km of rural roads and build three Hy Vong bridges with a total cost of more than 200 million VND.

Khong chi la mot nong dan san xuat - kinh doanh gioi, ong con la nguoi co tam long vi cong dong. Anh: Ta Quang
Not only is he a good farmer - trader, he is also a person with a heart for the community. Photo: Ta Quang

With outstanding contributions, Mr. Tam Bi has been recognized as a good farmer at the city level for many consecutive years. In 2022, he was honored as "Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer" of Can Tho City.

Tạ Quang
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