This model is a combination of two household farms focusing on Guava cultivation.
- LeThi Hien’s household: Began planting in February 2022 on an area of 1200m2 located in a field 500m away from the house.
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Mo’s household: Began planting in February 2021 on a larger area of 1680m2, located in the home garden. Ms. Mo pioneered the transition from a vegetable gardening model to an orchard and implemented an integrated closed-loop production system.
Crops, animals found on the site (if farm) and methods, techniques applied:
The core of this agricultural operation is the Guava and Closed-Loop System Model. The main crop is Guava, which is cultivated using an integrated approach that incorporates animal husbandry to create a sustainable, closed-loop ecosystem. Specifically, the model features:
- Pond Integration: Duckweed is cultivated in the pond, likely serving as feed for the poultry or part of the nutrient cycle.
- Under-Canopy Rearing: Ducks, geese, and chickens are raised freely under the guava trees. These animals naturally fertilize the soil and help control pests.
This efficient, integrated system allows the model to yield a high output, resulting in four guava harvests per year.
Methods and Techniques Applied
- Fruit protection: Using fruit protection bags (approximately 5,000 bags/year) to shield fruits from pests and insects, thereby enhancing quality.
- Organic fertilization: During care, compound organic fertilizer composted from readily available materials such as leaves, straw, and animal manure is used to fertilize the trees.
- Biological disease prevention: Employing biological methods for disease control, specifically spraying biological pesticides or homemade remedies from chili, garlic, alcohol.
- No harmful chemicals are used throughout the production process.
Activities, including trainings offered:
- Technical support and training
- Training on CPAM-Biodiversity Monitoring
- Training on Women Leadership for rural women
Trainings/courses description:
Technical support and training:
- Key activities at the model include daily ecological farming practices and the self-production of organic agents and fertilizers. Since 2024, the model has received financial support from the Hai Hau District Women’s Union and CGFED to purchase seeds, thereby increasing crop diversity. Most importantly, the household receives in-depth technical support from the project. Specifically, the model is regularly accompanied by the commune’s agricultural officer, who conducts site visits and provides consultation on planting techniques and disease prevention monthly or whenever urgent issues arise.
Training in CPAM-Biodiversity Monitoring:
- CGFED organized a one-day training course on CPAM, CPAM tools including biodiversity monitoring, agroecology for rural female farmers. Besides, there is also participation of local partners whose roles as learners and supporters for the pioneer group of rural female farmers in pesticide use monitor later.
- After being trained, the pioneer group of rural female farmers monitored the use of pesticides in the community through CPAM tools and biodiversity monitoring under technical support from the CGFED team.
Training on Women Leadership for rural women:
- A training on Women Leadership for rural women was conducted by CGFED in collaboration with local partners with participation of 30 female farmers in Hai Xuan commune. Training materials are utilized from the most updated version of training modules on Women Leadership for rural women that had been updated and translated into Vietnamese in March under support from PANAP.
