" Two-storey garden" model
Mr. Le Thanh Tam, Head of the Goi Corn Cooperative Group in Soc Hamlet, Tan An Commune, said that the cooperative currently has 10 members, cultivating a total of 3.5 hectares.
Households are supported by businesses with seeds, instructions on planting and care techniques, and guaranteed products at a stable price of 7,000 VND/kg.
On average, each hectare of intercropped coconut brings in an income of about VND250 ‐ 300 million/year, much higher than growing only coconut or rice.
According to Mr. Tam, farmers apply a model of growing coriander and coriander under the soursop canopy, called a "double-storey garden", to help take advantage of the area and increase economic efficiency.
" cross-ultural vegetable arranging under the coconut canopy helps coconut trees grow better thanks to shade and stable moisture. At the same time, each hectare of land now brings much higher economic value than before," Mr. Tam added.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - a participating household - said: "The coconut garden used to only produce fruit, now the herbs are interspersed, helping me increase my income significantly and stably throughout the year. Vegetables are guaranteed for output, farmers only need to care for them and apply techniques properly, ensuring high productivity and stable income.
"The "double-storey garden" model takes advantage of vacant areas, creates shade for trees, increases income for farmers and reduces the risk of crop failure," Ms. Lan added.
Many potential directions for agriculture
Mr. Thai Phuoc Loc - Chairman of the Vinh Long Provincial Cooperative Union - said that the model of growing herbs under coconut canopy not only increases farmers' income but also contributes to the development of the collective economy and improves land use efficiency.
The whole province of Vinh Long currently has 510 cooperatives and 3,150 cooperative groups, with more than 52,000 members participating in agricultural activities. This number helps create a foundation for sustainable linkages between farmers and businesses, while building a more efficient and stable supply chain.
The formation of cooperatives and cooperatives helps farmers receive technical support, register growing area codes, trace product origin and access e-commerce markets.
Thanks to that, herbs under the coconut canopy are sold stably, reducing the risk of price fluctuations, improving the reputation and quality of local products.
The province coordinates with departments and branches to support capital, innovate equipment, help cooperatives improve production capacity and farmers apply technology effectively.
Mr. Loc emphasized that replicating effective models is an inevitable direction to help farmers increase their income, while at the same time bringing local agriculture to develop modern, green, sustainable and integrated into the market.
The "double-storey garden" model demonstrates how Vinh Long farmers proactively convert crops, improve productivity and economic efficiency on the same land area.
"Cooperatives are expanding the area, diversifying crops combined with herbs, towards smart agriculture, climate adaptation, increasing income and product value," Mr. Loc added.
