At urban areas in the province, many people have planted orchids. Binh Duong orchid farm club located in Dinh Hoa ward, TDM City was established with many members, and defined this as an appropriate model to urban agriculture.
After nearly five years, the club increased the member number from 28 to 87 divided into 7 groups according to geographical region. Members have been updated on knowledge, techniques of orchid cultivation. Currently, the club has about 6 orchid hectares including many types of orchid. Total initial investment was about VND17 billion.
An appropriate direction
The club has developed models applying new technologies into production. Accordingly, Mokara orchid is the key plant, because it is easy to grow. Since 2012, the club has formed 5 key models growing Mokara orchid on an area of 3,000m2 applying planting density of about 6-7 plants/m2, fertilizer quantitative method, semiautomatic spray irrigation for labors and costs reduction. The project was funded more than VND1.5 billion by Science - Technology Development Fund. Orchid gardens are harvesting now.
Orchid garden of member Bui Van Sang has brought a stable profitability.
Member Bui Van Sang in Tan An ward, TDM City said, he used to plant jackfruit, but then failed, because of lack of experiences. In early 2013, he improved his land, built up farm, bought tools, varieties to grow orchids on an area of over 2,000m2. After 9 months, he succeeded and sold all his orchids to Binh Duong orchid farm club.
At the present, his orchid farm is the meeting place of Tan An ward Ornamental things club, where people loving orchids can meet and exchange orchid cultivation experiences.
Brand name promotion
The club has also consumed all orchids of members, thanks to contracts to supply orchids to companies in HCM City. 25 household members have supplied 3,000-4,000 orchid branches/week with an average price of VND6,000/branch. Other members had their own consuming sources.
Mr. Le Van Dat, Deputy Head of the club, said, in order for orchid growing model to bring high income to members, the club has cooperated with provincial Agricultural Promotion Center to implement an cooperative model of orchids production; completed procedures for trade name “Hoa Lan Dat Thu” (Dat Thu orchid) recognition granted by Intellectual Property Department under Ministry of Science – Technology. In addition, until the end of 2015, the club will establish Hoa Lan Dat Thu cooperative.
The trend of growing orchids has developed in Binh Duong on a total area of more than 25 hectares. Due to its high profitability, this model has been deemed effective to urban agriculture development. Therefore, gathering members, helping members to sell their products has been a correct direction of Binh Duong orchid farm club in order to overcome weaknesses of small production, improve this model’s effectiveness.
Reported by T.Ly – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
