In recent years, farmers in Hai Chau District have actively implemented the agricultural production model in urban space, creating many flourishes and achieving high efficiency. This model has been propagated and replicated by farmers' associations at all levels in the area.

Mr Ngo Dai Nghia takes care of melons on the terrace. Photo: LE VAN THOM

Mr Ngo Dai Nghia, a member of the of Hoa Cuong Bac ward-based Farmers' Association in Hai Chau District, has invested more than VND 500 million in installing a system of hydroponic vegetable growing equipment combined with a trellis on the 250m2-wide terrace of a 4-storey house since 2016.

As shared by Mr Nghia, the automatic watering system turns on and off according to the water demands of each kind of vegetable. Meanwhile, the hydroponic vegetable growing system uses the return water mode, which means it uses a pump to pump water, then water slowly flows through each step of the plastic pipe, and then returns to the tank. At the tank, organic water fertilizer is prepared according to the formula of 1 litre of organic water fertilizer mixed with 500 litres of water and pumped continuously daily to ensure the nutritional needs of growing vegetables.

Currently, his lettuce has been grown for 60 days to be harvested and has a price of VND 80,000/1 kg. Thanks to the application of technological advances, he only needs two workers and one delivery staff to distribute vegetables to his customers. Because Mr Nghia cultivates organically and gains high efficiency, his products have been ensured food hygiene and safety, and popular among consumers.

On the other hand, 65-year-old Veteran Pham Thanh Long, a member of the Farmers' Association of Hoa Cuong Nam Ward, comes to gardening as a hobby in his old age. Since 2018, Mr Long has grown various types of vegetables and beans such as lettuce, broccoli, water spinach, crown daisy, bitter melon, and cucumber on the terrace. These are usually grown for about 60 days to be harvested. These products are not only for sale but Mr Long also regularly pressent to relatives, neighbours and friends.

Meanwhile, 47- year-old man Nguyen Hong Nam, residing in Thanh Binh Ward, has devoted himself to his passion for growing orchids. Since 2019, he gradually invested nearly VND 500 million in building a corrugated iron roof on the terrace, buying pots of all kinds and synchronously installing automatic watering and fertilizer systems. He has planted orchids in many different sizes all over the terrace.

According to Mr Hoang Minh Trinh, Vice Chairman in charge of Hai Chau District Farmers' Association, from the first model of agricultural production in urban space by Mr Ngo Dai Nghia, all levels of farmer associations in the district have actively propagated replication. So far, the whole district has had dozens of agricultural production models in urban spaces with different scales.

For the time being, Hai Chau District Farmers' Association has implemented a plan to establish farmers’ branches and associations in wards where there is no Farmers' Association. “Participating in the association, farmer members are supported by competent authorities in terms of technology, capital, varieties, can participate in training courses on production, business orientations, and annually are guided to register to implement OCOP products", emphasized Mr Hoang Minh Trinh.

Reporting by LE VAN THOM- Translating by T.VY