Fish mint (Houttuynia cordata) growing is considered as "for-fun" farming but earning much for many households in Phu Chanh commune of Thu Dau Mot City, then it is pity to see the work eliminated. Now, with the development orientation to urban agriculture, people again expect to revive the work of growing vegetables on their farms, even with other kinds of vegetables not the fish mint.
Model of hydroponic reflux vegetable raises up hope for Chanh My Commune people
As retold by many elder farmers in Chanh My, the first fish mint farm belonged to Mr. Sau Lun, a resident in Phu Cuong having local land of his ancestors.When peace was restored in 1978 and when the material life of the people was mucmore difficult, the 2.500m2 garden of fish mint well worn with green to feed his whole family.
The heyday of the fish mint in Chanh My Commune was the period 2005-2007. Having appropriate techniques and knowing the soil, local people have planted the most eye-catching green, fish mint to attract buyers.
Areas of fish mint have been reduced
By the end of 2007, more than 60 hectares of fish mint covered the commune with an estimation of the overall production per day of 5 tons being delivered to large and small markets in Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Saigon. And, fish mint from Chanh My "knocked down" vegetables from Long An, Vinh Long, and Tien Giang in competition of exportation to markets in East Asia and Western Europe.
In 2007, when the fish mint was highly profitable, people chose to grow laksa leaves for prices higher than VND 800 per kg of then fish mint. Until now, due to fish mint scarce, its price is up to VND 7,000 a kg, Chanh My people have no longer grown this kind of vegetable.
Due to urbanization, agricultural land was reduced by 90% that many farmers no longer cultivate fish mint.
According to the Association of Farmers in Chanh My Commune, only 2.5 ha of fish mint remain in the area together with 4 ha of laksa leaves and 4 ha of glory morning cultivated by a total of 17 households.
Fish mint are planted about 6 months before the first harvest. Since then, every 3 months farmers can harvest once for consecutive 5 years before removing and preparing soil for new plants.
Just like that, many Chanh My people have not only be able to feed their families, but to send their children to decent academic institutions.
However, now many people have quit or switched to other kinds of vegetables but not very effective.
In recent times, the orientation of Thu Dau Mot City People's Committee on the development of urban agriculture has helped local people to extend their farming and encourage farms of vegetables.
In 2011, Mr. Nguyen Minh Dung was chosen as the beneficiary of the project "Building models of commercial vegetable farming areas with hydroponic reflux techniques in areas of Thu Dau Mot City" by Thu Dau Mot City People's Committee under collaboration with the Institute of Biotechnology and Foods of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, carried out on an area of 200m2 grid house with all the equipment needed and support of technical experts.
In the garden, he planted 260 tomato stems and 2,000 mustard plants.The selected tomato is of permanent fruit giving without age limit.Hydroponic vegetable production model of Mr. Nguyen Van Dung raised hope for the revival of vegetables cultivation in Chanh My.
It is expected that Chanh My Commune Association of Farmers will coordinate with the Provincial Association of Farmers to apply for loans supporting the development of the model of hydroponic reflux vegetable for 10 households. Each household is supported with VNDN 100 million.
Reported by Khanh Vinh – Translated by Vi Bao
