In recent years, the Farmers' Association of Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, has actively launched and implemented patriotic emulation movements among its staff and farmer members, with the movement for outstanding farmers in production and business standing out. This initiative encourages solidarity to help one another achieve prosperity and sustainable poverty reduction.

Ms Pham Thi My Na showcased her products at the event celebrating distinctive products of Hoa Son Commune

One exemplary individual is Mr Vo Van Khoa, Head of the Farmers' Union in An Ngai Tay 2 Hamlet. Initially struggling due to flood-prone and fragmented land, Mr Khoa boldly consolidated fields with neighbouring households to create a unified area. He invested VND 500 million to dig four fishponds and a breeding pond on his 1.5-hectare property.

By adhering strictly to technical guidelines, his first harvest yielded high productivity and economic efficiency. Capitalising on his success, he applied for a VND 30 million loan from the "Farmers’ Support Fund" to expand his ponds by an additional 10,000m².

Mr Khoa’s approach combines raising multiple fish species, including basa fish, silver carp, grass carp, and tilapia, for both commercial sale and recreational fishing services. Fishing fees range from VND 50,000 per person (catch and release) to an additional VND 20,000 for service charges. Visitors can purchase their catch at prices between VND 25,000 and VND 65,000 per kilogram, depending on the species.

With dozens of daily visitors, Mr Khoa’s integrated fish farming and ecotourism model generates an annual income exceeding VND 500 million and provides stable employment for nearly ten local workers, each earning VND 6-8 million per month.

In Tung Son Hamlet, Mr Nguyen Kim Khanh demonstrates a successful dual model of growing green-skinned grapefruits and breeding black snails. His orchard of over 50 grapefruit trees yields more than VND 50 million per season, while snail farming adds nearly VND 10 million monthly to his income.

As the head of the pastoral committee in Tung Son Hamlet, Mr Khanh plays a vital role in uniting the Catholic community to uphold the “7 Virtuous Lives, 3 Beautiful Religions” movement initiated by the Viet Nam Committee for Catholic Solidarity.

His establishment of the “Exemplary Catholic Farmer Families for Security and Traffic Safety” model in 2021 has significantly contributed to local governance. Through this initiative, Mr Khanh and the commune's Farmers' Association have organised numerous legal awareness sessions and encouraged 120 households to sign safety commitments.

Residents have since provided over 30 valuable pieces of information to local authorities, aiding the police in handling various cases, including drug trafficking and domestic violence.

Tung Son Hamlet, located adjacent to the Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan Expressway project, has seen significant efforts to encourage residents to hand over land for construction. Mr Khanh, in collaboration with local associations and organisations, has engaged in dialogues, listened to residents' concerns, and successfully persuaded over 15 households to agree to the land transfer.

Leading by example, Mr Khanh voluntarily handed over more than 800 square metres of his own land to facilitate the project's progress.

For his dedication to the community, Mr Khanh received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee for his exceptional achievements in the new rural development movement. He was also honoured as one of 63 recipients of the "Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer" award in 2024, presented by the Viet Nam Farmers' Union.

Another role model is Ms Pham Thi My Na, who has achieved financial stability through guava farming in Hoa Khe Hamlet. Starting with 800 guava trees on 1.5 hectares, her orchard now produces an annual yield of 3 tonnes after three years. Selling at VND 35,000 per kilogram, she earns over VND 150 million annually after expenses.

Ms Na plans to expand her guava farm to 3 hectares and has registered her brand with the help of the commune’s Farmers' Association, aiming to reach broader markets. Her high-quality guava model represents a sustainable approach to poverty reduction and income generation for local farmers.

These individuals exemplify the "5-New Farmers" standard promoted by the Viet Nam Farmers' Association, which encourages farmers to develop new mindsets, awareness, knowledge, cultural lives, and determination.

By adopting high-quality agricultural practices, farmers in Hoa Son Commune have made substantial contributions to employment creation, household income growth, and the advancement of modern farming in the new era. These efforts also support the development of an ecological agriculture system and a civilised rural community.

According to Mr Nguyen Van Hai, Chairman of the Hoa Son Farmers' Association, the outstanding farmer movement has played a critical role in restructuring the agricultural sector towards higher quality and efficiency. It has established multi-value production chains, spurred economic growth, and advanced the construction of new-style rural areas in the locality.

Reported by M. HANG, H. TRI - Translated by TRUC VY