It is not simply a start-up story of “What animals are raised for profit, what profitable crops can be grown" or "Leaving the city for the countryside" from 22-year old Dang Thai Tuan as he has chosen his own path for his business startup with humane animal husbandry practices for community benefits and environment protection even though he finds it very difficult to reach his goals.

Dang Thai Tuan at his organic farm nestled in Thanh My Town, Nam Giang District, Quang Nam Province.

Nestled in Hoa Village, Thanh My Town, Nam Giang District, Quang Nam Province, Moc An Agricultural Service Cooperative owned by Dang Thai Tuan is within a 2-hour drive from Da Nang. His farm includes a 7,000 square- meter area dedicated to organic livestock production.

Tuan who has already graduated with the bachelor's degree in Biotechnology at the Da Nang University of Education has cooperated with local farmers to raise pigs and chickens in a green, clean and natural way with organic feed materials. Accordingly, such organic waste and by-products as trees, grass, soybean residue, along with black soldier fly larvae are natural food sources for livestock and poultry which are raised at his organic farm.

Sharing his story of starting a business, Tuan said that he was fortunate to have the opportunity to get involved in animal husbandry and crop farming, along with environmental protection activities while participating in the Da Nang ENV Club. Including were helping residents in Quang Tri Province’s flood vulnerable areas with seedling nursery, learning experience in organic farming at the Da Nang –based Tam An Farm, as well as supporting residents in Tay Giang Mountainous District in Quang Nam Province with livelihoods development by growing Ba Kich (Morinda officinalis) plants in the primeval forest.

In particular, Tuan had the opportunity to go to Ho Chi Minh City to learn about how to breed black soldier fly larvae, and the utilization of food by-products and waste from supermarkets and food companies such as leftover baking powder, and beer residue for social benefits while working for an agricultural company.

Tuan has brought experiences from working in this agricultural company to his organic farm. The above-mentioned waste and by-products are used as animal feed at his farm for environmental benefits as this helps reduce the amount of organic waste sent for disposal. Furthermore, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM) is a promising animal feed ingredient because of its high protein content and sustainable nature in the animal husbandry sector.  In particular, livestock animals are raised in a humane and natural environment at Tuan’s farm, while his farm eggs will be provided in return to its suppliers of by-products for their production.

Tuan said that the criteria of "Conservation - livestock production- education - chain link" are used in conducting his farm operations. Focus is paid on preserving culinary heritage, traditions and culture , along with character of the highland people of Quang Nam Province. Importance is attached to boosting organic livestock farming, and adding market value to local livestock breeds in an effort to replace food products that originate from tropical forests and the nature, as well as build local sustainability and engage local communities in promoting sustainable economic development.

Moc An Farm's livestock and poultry products have won its customer trust, and received positive feedback from its customers. “Currently, my products are mainly sold to individual consumers as my farm has yet to sell products in large quantities. In the immediate future, my farm aims to create a safe food source for local communities, and develop livelihoods of highland people, as well as contribute to environmental protection from organic livestock farming," Tuan remarked.

The best job opportunities have been offered to Tuan but he chose and followed a difficult path for his business startup at the age of 22 as he left the city to live in the mountain and forest, as well as make friends with highland people to conduct humane animal husbandry practices. Currently, he is busy preparing to open a nutritious porridge shop in Da Nang that will offer delicious porridge dishes cooked with pork, chicken, eel, crab and others raised or caught by farmers in Nam Giang Mountainous District.

The opening of a nutritious porridge shop to offer safe and healthy food is just the next step on Tuan's difficult startup journey. Stories of difficult path for his business startup include regularly traveling a distance of dozens of kilometers from home to his farm to work or transport goods, or his concerns about finding customers and generate more sales, and more.

However, the 22-year-old man himself believes to achieve success through learning by doing. He posted his comment on his Facebook page,  saying that ‘ Painting my own life at the age of 22. He is painting his own life with green color which is the color of hope for young people taking step by step on their life's journey.

Reporting by LAM VIEN – Translating by H.L