4.0 farmers in Dak Nong: Make a fortune by intercroping high-valued agricultural products

Nguyen Van Bay, who was born in 1978, Muong ethnic group in Thanh Hoa and serves as the director of the Farmers' Association of the commune. The Dong Nai 3 hydroelectric project began accumulating water over a decade ago, leading in the submersion of nearly the entire area of the former Dak P’lao commune under what is now Ta Dung Lake. This forced hundreds of households, including Bay's family, to relocate.

Bay used the compensation he received after his old home was reclaimed to acquire five hectares of land, which he now cultivates with durian, coffee, and pepper, as a result of his business acumen and diligence. Near the expansive reservoir of Quang Khe is village 7, his garden extends from the hilltop to the valley behind his house. He has purchased turbines and a conduit system to irrigate his crops with water from this source.

Bay justified his decision to interplant a variety of crops by referencing the sparse planting of durian, which does not consume a significant amount of land. "I chose to intercrop them because I know the growth cycle of each crop. Although others abandoned these commodities, I continued to plant and care for them, as they did not encroach on the durian's space, as I anticipated that pepper and coffee prices would rebound. Currently, the cost of coffee exceeds 200,000 VND, and the price of pepper is also increasing. A variety of commodities are the source of my family's income", he said. 

Furthermore, the presence of multiple commodities mitigates hazards. The impact of minor commodities such as pepper or coffee failing due to low prices or poor yields is minimal, as they continue to receive income from durian. If the durian crop is unsuccessful, the farmers have alternative sources of income.

"At present, my farm adheres to a pure agricultural approach that does not involve the use of harmful chemical fertilizers or pesticides. I could meet VietGAP standards in two to three additional harvests if I achieve certification", he shared. 

Additionally, Bay has invested in a substantial facility for the breeding of New Zealand rabbits, in addition to the garden. Rabbits are simple to rear, demanding only a small area to construct pens and necessitate low initial investment and feed costs, making them suitable for many agricultural households. The commune provided seven members with 147 breeding rabbits, pens, and fodder, establishing a rabbit husbandry cooperative at the end of 2023.