Quilled lotus: Effective economic models

(Baonghean)The New Rural Development Program in Quy Hop has become a widespread movement reaching every citizen, with many effective models and approaches. This is a starting point that contributes practically to poverty reduction.

Mr. Vi Anh Xuan in Tham village takes care of his flock of Quy breed ducks.

In 2013, with funding from the new rural development program and other integrated sources, Quy Hop initially saw the development of several effective models that, if implemented on a large scale, would benefit many people. One such model is the Quy Chau Muscovy duck farming model in Chau Cuong commune. We visited Mr. Vi Anh Xuan's family in Tham village while he was feeding his flock of Muscovy ducks. Mr. Xuan excitedly said: “Thanks to the program supporting the Quy Chau Muscovy duck breed and mixed industrial feed, my family is raising over 120 ducks. During the rearing process, technical staff guided us on care, feeding, and disease prevention, so the survival rate reached 100%.” According to Mr. Xuan, the Quy Chau Muscovy duck breed also easily adapts to the natural conditions in Chau Cuong, an area with many streams, ponds, and lakes. The enclosures mainly utilize bamboo, thus reducing investment costs. After three months of raising them, the ducklings have now reached a weight of 2-2.2 kg/each, selling for an average price of 180,000-200,000 VND/each, bringing in over 20 million VND. Seeing the effectiveness of the Quy duck breed, Mr. Xuan plans to sell only about 40%, and the rest he will raise for egg production to breed and start raising them on a larger scale. Mr. Xuan continued: "In about 5 more months, the ducks will start laying eggs. My family plans to raise 300-400 Quy ducks. If well cared for, we can earn 200-250 million VND per year. This is a specialty breed, with delicious meat, so it's very popular and easy to sell."

Next door is Mr. Ngan Van Thai's household, raising 83 ducks. Mr. Thai shared: "Initially, we faced many difficulties, such as some ducks dying due to disease. However, after being advised to vaccinate against cholera and hemorrhagic septicemia and following proper care procedures, the ducks are growing well. Besides industrial mixed feed, my family often utilizes natural food sources like bananas and vegetables for the ducks. In just over 3 months, the ducks have yielded an income of nearly 200,000 VND per duck, with a profit of 150,000 VND per duck after deducting expenses. Therefore, if we expand this model and increase the scale of farming, it will generate a much higher income."

Mr. Ngan Thanh Quang, Chairman of the Chau Cuong Commune Farmers' Association, said: "The capital from the new rural development program for this model is not much, only over 30 million VND, supporting 6 households in Tham and Nhang villages, each raising 83 Muscovy ducks. The funding covers 100% of the cost of ducklings, feed, and veterinary medicine. After more than 3 months of implementation, it can be confirmed that the models are very effective: the survival rate is over 95%, and the average weight is nearly 2 kg/duck. It can be said that the Quy Muscovy duck farming model has low investment costs and is suitable for the conditions of Chau Cuong. The effectiveness of Quy Muscovy duck farming is clear, so many households will now expand production scale, which is also an effective way to alleviate poverty."

In addition, the model of growing corn on double-cropped rice land using new rural development funds in Chau Quang commune has yielded high economic efficiency. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Luyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chau Quang commune, said: "For a long time, the people of Chau Quang have not focused on investing in growing corn on double-cropped rice land, and many areas remain fallow. With support of 140 million VND from the new rural development program, a model of growing corn on double-cropped rice land was built on an area of ​​21 hectares in Dong Huong and Dong Tam villages of Chau Quang commune, of which over 18 hectares are mainly planted with C919 LVN885, LVN99... varieties of corn, and the rest is glutinous corn. This is considered a 'catalyst' for farmers to focus on intensive corn cultivation on double-cropped rice land, increasing the economic value per unit area."

In the cornfield being harvested, Ms. Phan Thi Sum from Dong Huong village couldn't hide her joy: "Previously, my 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of land, after two rice crops, was left fallow. Now, with government support for seeds, fertilizers, and guidance on corn cultivation on land used for two rice crops, it has brought practical results. The corn yield reached 3.3 quintals/sao, resulting in an average income of 1.3-1.5 million VND/sao/crop." According to Mr. Sam Ba Nam, planting corn in large-scale model fields is advantageous because it allows for the use of machinery for land preparation and simultaneous sowing and planting with the same investment and care regime, resulting in good corn growth. For example, his family cultivates 5 sao of corn on one plot, mainly using the C919 variety, with a planting density of 1,600-1,700 plants/sao. Thanks to the irrigation system and proper care, the corn achieved outstanding yields, estimated at about 3.5 quintals/sao. Five acres of corn provide enough feed for over 30 pigs and leaves to feed the family's three cows. Currently, Chau Quang commune has identified corn as its main crop, and based on this successful model, the commune will expand corn cultivation to over 200 hectares on land previously used for two rice crops, creating a local source of feed for livestock development.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thai, Head of the Agriculture Department of Quy Hop District, added: In 2013, Quy Hop implemented over 30 integrated production models linked to the new rural development program. The funding from the new rural development program was 860 million VND, of which the District People's Committee allocated over 1 billion VND from its budget to support the construction of these models, prioritizing remote and disadvantaged areas. The models focused on crops and livestock suitable to the conditions of each locality. For example, the model of growing super-sweet sugarcane of the QD 93 variety in Ha Son commune (7 hectares), Chau Dinh commune (6 hectares), Nghia Xuan commune (7 hectares)... achieved high efficiency, with sugarcane yielding over 90 tons/ha. Other models included free-range chicken farming in Yen Hop, Minh Hop, and Chau Ly communes, and goat farming in Chau Tien and Chau Ly communes…

In 2014, Quy Hop continued to integrate programs and projects to invest in building production and livestock models associated with the new rural development program, such as building models for growing corn on double-cropped rice land, growing soybeans, and raising black pigs… The district continued to promote and encourage people to replicate successful models to gradually improve their lives and increase their income.

Van Truong