VietNamNet Bridge – Take a helping of technology, sprinkle with science, and add a heavy dose of dedicated work. These are the ingredients applied by farmer Thieu Van Hai to ensure a recipe for success.

Thieu Van Hai inspects his field. Using modern methods his farm, and his profits, have grown considerably over the years.— Photo dantri.com.vn

Hai lives in Truong Thang Village, Truong Long A Commune, Chau Thanh A District in the southern province of Hau Giang.

Farming is in his genes. Both his parents farmed before him, and with a lot of siblings, times were hard.

Since he was a small boy Hai had to work to help his family make enough money to raise his brothers and sisters.

After his simple marriage to a teacher, he was given by his parents 1.5ha of land to start his own life. He built a home and created his own field to work.  

But he wasn’t satisfied with simply tending his land. Hai joined training courses and conferences organised by local farmers’ association to improve his business.

Using bank loans his business grew and his now has 66ha of field and more than 15ha of garden.

 “I apply different techniques on my field to limit the amount of pesticide, reduce expenses and ensure the products’ quality and sell them with high prices. I now have high profits and buy more fields,” said Hai.

Hai also researches features of different kinds of rice, weather in different crops and market prices to adjust his manufacture.

Connection for sustainable manufacture

Hai said his secret to success is producing rice according to the contracts with companies.

“I feel peace in mind when working with companies as I know the prices before hand. With the contracts, farmers will feel secure in work and in investment,” he said.

In 2012, with encouragement from local farmers, Hai founded the Hai Thanh Cooperative with 20 members.

The cooperative applies modern technology in its production.

Hai also volunteers to connect with the ADC Co Ltd so that the company will supply agricultural materials for the cooperative members. Since then, the farmers can reduce some expenses for their work.

Hai also encourages local farmers to apply high technology in their work.

At first he said local farmers hesitated, but he was not discouraged.

Hai uses about three hectares of land of the cooperative to produce seed rice as a safe source for local farmers. Thanks to this, the farmers produce good rice with stable prices.

With 6.6ha of rice, every year Hai earns nearly VND500 million (US$21,700). After deducting expenses, he earns profits of about VND200 million ($8,600) per year.

Hai takes advantage of his spare garden to raise chicken and ducks while growing fruits and vegetables. He earns dozens of millions of dong (VND10 million equals $400) more per year.    

Tran Quoc Trung, chairman of the Chau Thanh A District Farmers’ Association, said, “Hai is a good example for a hard-working farmer. He was innovative in cooperating with other farmers to establish a safe and effective production chain.”

Hai was awarded with certificates of merit from the Hau Giang Province People’s Committee in 2011 and 2012.

In 2013, he received s certificate of merit from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

This year he was voted as one of 63 most outstanding farmers of the country by the Vietnam Farmers’ Union. 

Source: VNS