Many benefits from new rural model gardens

To implement the Program of building advanced new rural areas (NTM) and model NTM, localities in the province have been focusing on mobilizing people to change crop structure, renovate mixed gardens, and apply science and technology to build model gardens. This is considered a practical solution that not only creates a green, clean, and beautiful landscape but also contributes to increasing income and improving people's lives.

The model of intercropping passionflower under the areca garden of Mr. Dao Xa, Bich Khe village, Trieu Long commune has yielded harvest - Photo: TN

Based on the criteria for building new rural model gardens in Quang Tri province, the period 2022 - 2025 of the Provincial People's Committee, Trieu Phong and Vinh Linh are the first two districts to issue decisions to recognize new rural model gardens. Up to now, these two localities have recognized 56 new rural model gardens (Vinh Linh 49 gardens, Trieu Phong 7 gardens).

The gardens recognized as model NTM gardens all meet 5 basic criteria: area, arrangement of model gardens; application of scientific and technological advances; products from the garden; environment, landscape and income. Mr. Dao Xa's garden in Bich Khe village, Trieu Long commune is a typical example. Mr. Xa's garden was recognized by the People's Committee of Trieu Phong district as a model NTM garden in 2023.

Having the opportunity to visit this garden, I saw that Mr. Xa has invested a lot of time and cleverly arranged and rearranged the garden in a scientific and reasonable way. With his production experience, he has selected plants suitable for the natural conditions in the low-lying land, bringing high economic value. Mr. Xa's garden currently has 600 areca trees, of which 300 have been harvested.

Under the areca garden, he intercropped guava, asparagus, gac and some vegetables... the total income from the model reached over 100 million VND/year. According to Mr. Xa, before, areca trees were planted around the house, but later he found that this is a type of tree that can withstand flooding very well, being soaked in flood water for a month without much impact, besides, areca trees can also withstand storms, so he renovated the garden, making areca trees the main crop.

“Traditionally, when growing areca trees, we just let the trees grow naturally, and harvest each bunch. However, unlike everyone else, I have researched and invested in intensive farming. In addition to weeding, I also fertilize and water regularly. In particular, in the dry summer weather, the trees need to be provided with enough water and nutrients to ensure productivity. Therefore, last year, although the areca trees in the province had a poor harvest, my family's areca garden still yielded 2 tons, bringing in an income of 90 million VND,” Mr. Xa shared.

Mr. Nguyen Van To, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Trieu Phong district said: “There are many benefits from building a model of new rural gardens. However, what we find most interesting is that the models not only create a stable source of income for farmers, but also create a more prosperous, clean and beautiful rural landscape. This is an important criterion for villages to meet the standards of a model new rural village.”

From the effectiveness of the first model gardens, Trieu Phong district is actively mobilizing and encouraging people to plan and improve mixed gardens to create space for construction and development of model gardens. The district's goal is to strive to have 6-7 model gardens recognized each year. To motivate people, Trieu Phong district is having a policy of supporting 15 million VND/garden for people to invest in misting and drip irrigation systems or complete infrastructure systems... for standard NTM model gardens.

In Kim Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, the construction of model gardens has become a widespread movement, bringing positive effects to the people. Mr. Duong Van Tho's garden in Huong Nam village is one of the typical model gardens. Mr. Tho's family garden used to grow all kinds of plants but was not properly planned, so the income was unstable.

Implementing the policy of shifting the structure of crops and livestock initiated by the locality, in recent years, he has invested in building a model garden to increase his family's income.

Mr. Tho said that at the beginning of the project, his family encountered many difficulties due to lack of capital and production experience, but through visiting and learning from several models and receiving advice, support and facilitation from the commune and district, he was determined to invest funds to renovate and re-plan the garden, plant oranges in plots and rows and arrange livestock barns to ensure environmental hygiene... Thanks to that, the annual income from the garden has helped his family have a stable life.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Thuy, Vice Chairman of Kim Thach Commune People's Committee, said that determining that building model gardens plays an important role in implementing the new rural construction program, the locality has proactively implemented plans, supported and encouraged people to renovate mixed gardens and build model gardens.

Thanks to that, up to now, the whole commune has 22 neatly planned gardens, of which 13 gardens have been recognized by the District People's Committee as model NTM gardens in 2022 and 2023. These models not only improve the landscape but also help households have a stable source of income from 80 - 100 million VND/garden.

In fact, the model of new rural gardens is showing positive results. The construction of model gardens contributes to the transformation from self-sufficient gardens to commercial gardens.

Many new crops with high productivity, quality and economic value have been put into production by the people to replace ineffective crops, helping farmers gradually produce in the direction of commodity production, linking in product consumption to bring economic efficiency, and at the same time creating a new look for the villages.

Thuy Ngoc

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