People who 'leave their villages' go into the forest to grow organic vegetables.

(Baonghean.vn) - Despite not being related, some arrived early, others late, but 12 households upstream of Nhinh stream (Huu Kiem commune - Ky Son district) still stand shoulder to shoulder to establish a village for growing clean vegetables.

Introduced by young commune official Nguyen Khac Dong, we visited the upstream area of ​​Khe Nhinh (Huu Kiem commune - Ky Son district) during the sunny days of late April. A concrete road, over 1.5 km long, led to the area where 12 households were growing organic vegetables.

The Khe Nhinh area, where 12 Thai ethnic households have established a village to grow organic vegetables. Photo: Dao Tho.

Mr. Lo Hong Thang, a retired official, greeted us warmly as we entered his small stilt house. He explained that the Khe Nhinh area had traditionally been a farming area for the Thai people of Huu Kiem commune since ancient times. In the past, wild animals gathered here in large herds, so whenever people had free time, they would bring their guns and crossbows to hunt. That's how the area came to be called Khe Nhinh (hunting ravine).

Mr. Lo Hong Thang harvests organic cucumbers in his garden. Photo: Dao Tho.

However, getting here is not easy. The path up is steep, and from the mountaintop, you can clearly see the entire Huu Kiem commune. Mr. Lo Hong Thang said: "Before 2017, whenever the 12 households in Khe Nhinh wanted to sell their vegetables and fruits, they had to carry them on their backs, trudging through the forest to the village center. Now, motorbikes can reach the place," his voice brightened considerably.

These newly grown cantaloupes, tested in Khe Nhinh, are proving highly effective. Photo: Dao Tho

The area Mr. Thang designated for production was only about 5,000 square meters.²But there's a full range of clean vegetables. This season, he focuses on growing cucumbers and cantaloupes, while in other seasons, he grows cabbage, leafy greens, beans, etc., and completely without pesticides or growth stimulants. The sweet cucumbers and cantaloupes he picks and offers to enjoy right in the garden are so delightful. "It's only my first harvest, but I've already sold nearly 3 million dong worth of cucumbers," Mr. Thang boasted.

Mr. Thang is harvesting these melons, preparing them for customers to buy. Photo: Dao Tho

On the other side, the family of Mr. Vi Van Duong and Ms. Luong Thi Hong are diligently picking out worms from their newly bearing cucumbers. This family has been connected to Khe Nhinh for nearly 40 years. In the past, they only knew how to follow their parents to clear land for farming, but a few years ago, they and 11 other households switched to reclaiming land to grow wet rice and clean vegetables. Thanks to this vegetable garden, the family escaped poverty and all four of their children received a proper education.

Mr. Duong and Ms. Hong are tending to their family's organic vegetables. Photo: Dao Tho

Ms. Hong led us to her apricot orchard, laden with fruit, where she was in the process of harvesting for her husband to prepare to take to the market. According to her, at this time last year, this sour apricot orchard had already sold nearly 100 kilograms, helping her send money to her daughter who is studying medicine in Vinh City. Despite living in this remote area, all 12 households feel happy whenever someone comes to inquire about buying their organic vegetables.

The apricot orchard of Mr. Duong and Ms. Hong is laden with fruit and is in harvest season. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Nguyen Khac Dong, an official from Huu Kiem commune, said: “Now, the vegetables grown by the people of Khe Nhinh are sold out as soon as they reach the central market. Some seasons, we can't even supply enough to the market because people know about our clean, organic vegetables and are very fond of them. In the future, the commune will encourage and mobilize the people to expand the area and plant more specialty vegetables and fruits suitable for the highland climate to increase their income.”

Dao Tho