4.0 farmers in Dak Nong: Make a fortune due to sharpness and hard-working

On average, the farmer earns over ten billion VND annually after expenses. This is the farm model of Mr. Ngo Xuan Hieu, 57, who lives in Bon R'But, Quang Son commune, Dak Glong district, Dak Nong province.

In 2008, Mr. Ngo Xuan Hieu, along with his family, moved from Ninh Binh to Dak Nong to start a new life in Bon R'But. Initially, he only had enough money to buy 2 hectares of land for cultivation. After many years of diligent labor, he finally reaped the rewards, becoming a distinguished and wealthiest farmer in Quang Son, with over 30 hectares of land growing various fruit trees using clean, sustainable methods.

Mr. Hieu shared that all his crops are cultivated in a safe, sustainable manner. After years of enriching the soil and avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the yields, once initially low, have gradually increased and are now on par with gardens that use chemical treatments.

A man eager to learn with a sharp mind, Mr. Hieu analyzed that owning a large area of land requires planning to invest in a systematic farm model with modern machinery and equipment. This reduces labor while greatly increasing efficiency.

“Currently, the farm uses an automated system for fertilizing, watering, and spraying, which not only requires less labor but is also more consistent than manual work. In fact, since we follow a process, the most labor-intensive work is during the harvest, as well as drying, preliminary processing, and packaging. For maintenance, labor needs are minimal, even for grass, which we only trim around the tree roots, so it doesn’t take much effort,” he said.

Speaking about the results from his 30-hectare orchard, Mr. Hieu shared, “This year, coffee and pepper prices are high. I don’t grow coffee, but I have 7 hectares of pepper with a decent yield, reaching about 4 tons per hectare. Traders buy it at a price ranging from 130,000 to 135,000 VND per kilogram. With 5 hectares of Thai durian, we harvested nearly 100 tons of fruit this year, selling at the farm for 45,000 to 55,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the timing and quality,” he said.

As for green-skinned pomelo, the first fruit he planted on his farm, there are 10 hectares grown according to VietGAP standards, with an annual yield of about 100 tons. Due to its high quality, the market for pomelo has expanded. Mr. Hieu plans to invest in machinery to further process pomelo products, such as jam, essential oils, cold-dried pomelo, and fresh pomelo juice, to enhance the value of agricultural products and help support other local farmers.

According to Mr. Hieu, when he first started his venture in Quang Son, he planted pepper, which generated a good income. Later, considering the land and climate factors, he decided that growing fruit trees would be more suitable. Therefore, he studied and learned how to grow avocados, durians, pomelos, and jackfruits.