Organic agriculture: An effective and sustainable direction

Many standard organic farming models

Organic agriculture not only creates safe products but also reduces the impact on the environment, exploits the strengths of each locality, and promotes the sustainable development of agriculture. It has been implemented by many businesses and cooperatives in the province.

Director of Nhon Thanh Trung Agricultural Cooperative - Nguyen Thi Xiet takes care of green-skinned pomelo gardens that are grown organically

In order to bring clean food to consumers, over the past time, Nhon Thanh Trung Agricultural Cooperative (Nhon Thanh Trung commune, Tan An city) has actively mobilized its members to change production methods. Initially, because of the high investment cost, many people were afraid of organic production. However, when realizing the effectiveness of using biological fertilizers to limit pests and diseases, give high yield and quality, many members have been actively participating. Currently, the cooperative has 10 members producing organic green skin pomelo with more than 2 hectares.

Director of Nhon Thanh Trung Agricultural Cooperative - Nguyen Thi Xiet said: “Organic farming combined with advanced irrigation contributes to improving the soil, productivity and quality; ensuring safety for health. As a result, pomelo price is higher and more stable than chemical farming. When joining the cooperative, the members are supported with seedlings, guided in techniques of using organic fertilizers effectively, instructed on how to prune branches to flower without using stimulants, etc. Besides, the cooperative also buys young fruit and pomelo flowers to produce essential oil; creating pure natural products from raw materials to preservation methods”.

Thanks to the introduction of Chau Thanh District's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tran Thanh Sang (Cau Duc hamlet, An Luc Long commune). He is very successful in implementing the model of Growing hydroponic vegetables in greenhouses with fish farming.

Although Mr. Sang is an architect, he loves growing vegetables. Mr. Sang shared: “After learning the technique, I designed and installed the greenhouse and Aquaponics system myself. This is a closed vegetable growing process with resonance from vegetables, fish and microorganisms according to nature. With new and modern technology, this model helps to grow vegetables with high productivity, reducing labor and being able to grow off-season.”

Thanks to innovation in thinking and organic production processes, Mr. Tran Thanh Sang has succeeded in growing hydroponic vegetables

Safe and environmentally friendly

The abuse of pesticides and growth stimulants poses a risk of environmental pollution, affecting public health and the sustainable development of the Agriculture sector. Therefore, over the past time, the provincial Agriculture sector has implemented many programs and projects to encourage the construction of large-scale fields; facilitate the development of organic agricultural production; implement demonstration models; mobilize farmers to actively improve their fields and change farming practices.

Similar to many other farmers in Chau Thanh district, in the past, Mr. Sang planted 1ha of dragon fruit according to the traditional method, but the efficiency was not high. Thanks to innovation in production thinking as well as organic production processes, especially the connection to ensure output for agricultural products, now Mr. Sang has succeeded in growing hydroponic vegetables. Initially, this model brings efficiency and creates regular jobs for many local labourers.

“On average, I harvest about 100 kilograms of vegetables every day. Thanks to participating in the distribution chain of agricultural products in Ho Chi Minh City, the output is stable. Besides, I also wholesale vegetables to local grocery stores to help people use safe products at the same price as traditional vegetables. This is my biggest wish when growing hydroponic vegetables,” added Mr. Sang.

Currently, organic agriculture is an inevitable trend

My Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (My Thanh Commune, Thu Thua District) is also one of the typical examples in environmentally friendly agricultural production. The cooperative has promoted the application of technology and organic production to produce clean products. With the quality that meets VietGAP standards, the cooperative's products create a reputation in the market. Although just established in 2018 with 26 members, up to now, the cooperative's vegetables and fruits have entered the Co.opmart system, the food supply chain in Dong Nai and the distribution companies of agricultural products in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Director of My Thanh Agricultural Cooperative - Nguyen Quoc Cuong, the cooperative always aim to ensure the harmony between economic benefits and environmental protection in agricultural production. The strength of the cooperative is growing vegetables according to VietGAP standards. In the coming time, the cooperative will continue to research and plant suitable plant varieties; sign association contracts with neighboring cooperatives and cooperative groups of districts to supply enough products when facing adverse weather such as hoarfrost, drought, salinity, etc.

Along with developing policies, the province is focusing on solutions on product consumption and market connection. For OCOP products, the province continues to maintain and develop cooperatives and cooperative groups associated with the consumption of agricultural products in the province in order to support establishments with organic certification to participate in trade promotion exhibitions; create output stabilize and increase profits for farmers.

Agricultural production under organic certification is the right direction of the Agriculture sector. In order to promote the development of organic agriculture, it is necessary to have better support policies from the State to attract more participants. In addition, people should change the habit of using chemical fertilizers and growth stimulants in farming./.

By Huynh Huong - Translated by P.Ngan

Source: https://baolongan.vn/san-xuat-nong-nghiep-huu-co-huong-di-hieu-qua-ben-vung-a133329.html