The Conqueror of Bau Len

(Baonghean) - Mr. Nguyen Trong Huong became the richest man in the region thanks to his decisiveness and diligence in conquering Bau Len in Giai Xuan commune (Tan Ky district).

In 1993, Mr. Nguyen Trong Huong was discharged from the army, returned to his hometown, and learned that the Bau Len area was unclaimed. He boldly decided to lease the land long-term. Frankly, when he first came to inspect the land, he was quite apprehensive because it was far from populated areas, a barren hillside, lacked roads and electricity, and had complex security issues… However, with the support of his family and especially his friends, he decided to try his luck in this new environment.”

Having been contracted to manage 25.4 hectares of hilly land for reforestation, and receiving support from Program 327 in terms of seeds, capital, and technology, the trees have developed very well. To generate income in the short term, during the reforestation process, Mr. Huong reclaimed and restored more than 4 hectares of land to plant short-term crops such as rice, beans, and peanuts… while also investing in raising cattle, bringing in a high income. With the profits from selling cattle, beans, and peanuts accumulated in the first 5 years, Mr. Huong invested in buying an excavator to dig a 2-meter deep and 5-meter wide trench around the farm and continued to rebuild the roads and bring electricity to the area. On a total area of ​​29.4 hectares (including contracted land and land he reclaimed himself), Mr. Huong planned and planted 12.6 hectares of rubber trees, 5.2 hectares of forestry trees, 2 hectares of fruit trees, renovated 5.6 hectares of water surface for fish farming, and planted 4 hectares of short-term crops.

Mr. Huong shared: “As a demobilized soldier, I faced many difficulties in terms of capital and livestock farming techniques when investing in farm-based economic activities. However, during the process, I researched and learned from documents and friends, and always received timely support and guidance from technical staff of the district and Song Con One-Member Limited Liability Company, so farming and livestock raising went very smoothly. Because I invested seriously in my business, even without a land use right certificate, the bank, after investigation and assessment, decided to lend me 150 million VND. Although the bank loan was not a large amount, it greatly supported me in investing in my farm-based economic model.”

From a barren, desolate land, after years of passionate investment in developing a comprehensive farm model, Mr. Nguyen Trong Huong has now realized his dream of becoming wealthy from the barren land right in his hometown. To date, the total investment for this farm is over 1.6 billion VND, most of which is his family's own capital. In recent years, his comprehensive farm on Hill 26/3, Bau Len, has become a reliable source for customers buying oranges, fish, beef cattle, etc., and is also one of the major suppliers of rubber latex to Song Con One-Member Limited Liability Company.

Five experienced main laborers are responsible for the care, cultivation, and livestock farming at Mr. Huong's farm. During harvest time, the farm provides employment for 60 seasonal workers. With the active support of many local laborers, Mr. Huong's farm is able to promptly fulfill large orders and supply many products to the market. In 2013, the farm harvested 77 tons of rubber latex, 1 ton of oranges, 3 tons of fish, and 10 cows. In 2014, the rubber latex production reached 65 tons, and fish 3.5 tons… The farm's annual revenue reaches 1 billion VND, and after deducting expenses, Mr. Huong's farm earns a profit of 500-600 million VND each year. He reinvests most of this money back into production and livestock farming. Despite investing a lot of money and effort into this farm model, Mr. Huong is still not entirely at ease due to issues related to land ownership. Mr. Huong's wish is to be granted a land use right certificate, both to ensure stable production and to have sufficient funds to mortgage the land and borrow a large sum from the bank to invest in his farm.

Hoang Vinh