Tiếng Việt
Organic Agricultural Products Safe for Consumer Health
In Phong Thu, Phong Dien, Mr. Nguyen Van Lich demonstrates that organic and circular agriculture not only ensures consumer health but also provides economic benefits and personal satisfaction, even in old age.
Every day, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mr. Lich is busy in his garden and livestock area. Despite being 66 years old, the joy from his work brings him enthusiasm and positive energy. He shares: “I am a retired official, but my passion for agriculture has been with me since childhood. Although I was busy with work before, after retiring over 5 years ago, I dedicated my time with my wife to nurture this passion.”
In 2018, Mr. Lich’s family began collaborating on organic, circular agriculture following the process of Quế Lâm Group Joint Stock Company. With the advantage of a large garden area, strong technical knowledge, and passion, Mr. Lich became increasingly committed to this choice.
Safe Organic Agriculture
Mr. Lich explains: “Organic, circular agriculture helps improve the environment while increasing economic efficiency on the same area. Moreover, by using only organic feed and fertilizers and avoiding chemical pesticides, both the health of the farmers and the quality of the products are safe. This, in turn, ensures consumer health.”
With a specific planting and breeding process in place, Mr. Lich utilizes all advantages from his land and facilities to develop both farming and livestock.
Currently, Mr. Lich’s pomelo garden covers 0.6 hectares, and his grapefruit garden is 1.4 hectares (200 trees per hectare). With the organic, circular agriculture process, this area provides clean forage, ensuring nutrition and quality (along with other agricultural by-products like straw) to feed the cows. Conversely, manure from the cow and pig pens is composted into organic fertilizer, returning nutrients to the garden.
At present, Mr. Lich raises 5 sows and 40 pigs, with an average of 2.5 batches per year. Income from the pomelo and grapefruit gardens and livestock exceeds 300 million VND per year. Additionally, he creates seasonal jobs for local workers.
Biomass Microbial Fertilizers
Not only is Mr. Lich a pioneer in local planting and livestock activities, but he has also contributed to making the Phong Thu pomelo brand more widely known. In 2020, the Phong Thu Pomelo Cooperative was established, and Mr. Lich was trusted to be the Director of the Cooperative, working with 14 other families to care for, share experiences, and elevate the local specialty fruit.
Despite experiencing several floods, such as the one in 2020 that destroyed 80% of his pomelo area, Mr. Lich remains undeterred. Reflecting on his joy and the challenges he has faced, he shares: “Now that my children are settled, my wife and I work to both increase our income and provide high-quality agricultural products to consumers. Although it’s hard work, I find great joy, which is amplified many times when clean products that I have personally cultivated are trusted by consumers.”
Currently, with a passion for organic, circular agriculture, Mr. Lich is a reliable resource, always ready to share his knowledge and experience with others, especially the elderly in the community.
Regarding Mr. Nguyen Van Lich, Mr. Doan Van Lai, Head of the Elderly Association of Phong Dien District, commented: “In the locality, Mr. Nguyen Van Lich is one of the exemplary elderly individuals in economic development with modern, environmentally friendly agricultural methods. Not only is his model a valuable example for elderly people to replicate, but his labor and production achievements also contribute to enhancing the movement of elderly people engaged in successful production and business.”
