Organic farm project revives traditional, sustainable farming methods
VietNamNet Bridge – Organic gardening is a traditional, healthy style of farming known to most Vietnamese people for centuries. However, the old style is fading in the modern day, as farmers keep rushing with rapid changes of habit of consumers in the market to increase their profit.
As the number of cancer patients rises in hospitals and food is seen as a contributing factor, consumers and farmers think of the old, safe, environmentally friendly farming styles.
Urban residents now prefer growing their own vegetables in plastic boxes on their balconies or roofs to provide themselves chemical-free vegetables.
A community garden in Dien Ban Town in Quang Nam Province has developed an organic farm model to help raise awareness in its community about the importance of safe, healthy food and environmental protection.
Vu Thi My Hanh, 29, from Ha Noi, and a group of volunteers work on a 600sq.m garden in a small village in Dien Ban town. They are trying to revive an old style of farming linked to their Vietnamese ancestors.
Hanh, who manages the Green Youth Collective project, said the garden village on the Thu Bon River is an example of native-friendly gardening for young people and farmers who want a healthy future.
Hanh allocated a 600sq.m farm to build a mock-up of a natural jungle garden that could be replicated.
“Farmers no longer practice as their ancestors did in gardens and paddies. They rush for profit and productivity, but don’t care about the environment or health of the community. Chemical ingredients in pesticides, weed killers and fertilisers are often over-used for maximum harvest in a short amount of time,” Hanh said. “We are trying to build up a demonstration to introduce gentle gardening skills to improve the soil, underground water and love of working among young people and local farmers.”
The garden was grown on a jungle-based structure, in which soil is kept as a basement while layers of ‘green fertiliser’ provide nutrition for the plants.
Rubbish, leaves, rice straw, kitchen-ash and cow manure are processed for compost.
Hanh, who is known as Stoney Chenal on Facebook, said a good natural habitat was formed in the garden, with peaceful coexistence among insects, flowers and plants.
“Creepers can grow along with beans, as it keeps the slight plant braced against wind during a storm, while bushes and herbs create a cool and moist cover for soil and roots, as well as earthworms,” she explained. “Flowers are grown in the garden not only for colorful decoration, but because they lure bees, ants and beetles – which protect the plants from harmful insects.”