The group of women starting business from orchards in Dien Tho commune, Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province has successfully transformed the plant structure towards clean farming. Thanks to the linking in product sale, the economic efficiency has increased, thereby contributing to creating a stable income for their homes.
The group of women starting business from orchards in Dien Tho commune, Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province has successfully transformed the plant structure towards clean farming. Thanks to the linking in product sale, the economic efficiency has increased, thereby contributing to creating a stable income for their homes.
Changing plants
Dien Tho is a commune with semi-mountainous terrain; and local people there grow mainly sugarcane and acacia. However, in recent years, these two crops had a high income; so since 2016, the commune has had a policy of changing crop structure. Then, the Women's Union of Dien Tho commune encouraged its members and women to boldly convert crops into fruit trees such as green-skin grapefruit, jackfruit, banana, mango, papaya, etc. Initially, with only 5 members participated in the conversion with 6ha of fruit trees; they faced many difficulties due to lack of investment capital to improve soil, buy seeds and catch technical skills. Therefore, the women intercropped with short-term fruit trees such as papaya, banana, vegetable, etc. After 2 years, they narrowed vegetable area and develop perrenial plant area.
Phan Thi Dep - Chairwoman of Dien Tho Commune Women's Union said that in 2018, Dien Khanh District Women's Union carried out the project "Supporting women in starting a business". Many members and women had land and wanted to start up with planting. Therefore, from a small group of 5 members, the Commune Women's Union established a group of women starting up with planting with 7 more new members. The group’s total area of clean fruit growing was over 20ha. After its establishment, members of the group borrow loans to invest in their orchards. Currently, many gardens converted to growing fruit trees have good harvest.
Good results
Initial investment the group poured into clean farming was more than VND1 billion/20ha. 12 hectares have been harvested; so they can begin to collect investment. Every year, the group provides more than 23 tons of clean fruits for the market. Especially, since May 2019, the group's products have been sold in Co.opmart Nha Trang. This is a rising step of the group, confirming the right direction and the value of clean fruits trusted by consumers.
A member of the group, named Vo Thi Le (Phuoc Luong village), said that, participating in changing crops, she has planted 50 grapefruit trees on an area of 2,500m2. she has regconized many benefits since moving to clean farming, using organic fertilizers and probiotics to improve soil. Quality of grapefruits has raised, grapefruit skin has become more beautiful. Especially, grapefruit trees grow well, bearing fruits all year round. It has rarely been seen when the trees were applied with chemical fertilizers. Then, her income has also risen. More importantly, it is good for environment and health.
Once joining the group, all members had to switch to clean production. The members have used manure bought from chicken farms in the commune and biological products to breed plants, limited the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for soil, protected the environment, and created clean products for the community. The members always unite and support each other on planting technology and product sale. Since then, fruits has been sold more, with high price, which has improved members' income. The initial results of the group have contributed into restructuring of local crops, helping women in start-up, creating clean products for consumers, preventing erosion for hills, protecting the environment, and creating jobs for leisure workers. Ihe first 6 months of 2019, the group has been awarded a certificate of merit by the provincial People's Committee. This is also one of 7 ideas and start-up products that are highly appreciated, awarded and praised by the Provincial Women's Union at the Start-up Women's Day 2019.
In the coming time, the group will continue to admit new members, develop areas for growing clean fruit trees, form specialized fruit-growing areas, expand the market for clean fruits, mobilize additional capital to combine with rural eco-tourism services.
Minh Thiet
Translated by T.T
