Herbal Crop Model of Ms Vu Thi Tham

This model is implemented by Ms. Vu Thi Tham. She is also one of the members in the communes who started practicing earthworm (vermicomposting) farming at home following a field trip to Ha Nam province.

The implementation of the model encountered some specific difficulties. Because the area was not convenient for cattle farming (a source of earthworm feed), Ms. Tham remained determined and had to travel to other communes to secure raw materials to raise the earthworms. Together with other women, she established a group to practice the vermicomposting model and built a common fund, totaling 20 members. Monthly, the women organized meetings to share experiences on earthworm farming, poultry raising, and product exchange. After a period of implementation, the model slowed down due to the impact of the African Swine Fever epidemic, which led to a loss of raw materials for earthworm feed.

Due to her fear of the smell of pesticides and her passion for using herbs for daily ailments, she decided to switch to medicinal herb cultivation in 2020. She grows medicinal plants such as Gymnema sylvestre, Mint, Eleutherine bulbosa and Solanum procumbens.

The cultivated area spans 720m2. The model integrates medicinal plant cultivation, characterized by the strict application of ecological farming methods and the absolute prohibition of chemical use.

In 2024, continuing to receive support from the Women’s Union of Hai Hau district and CGFED, she expanded the quantity, planted a new crop of Eleutherine bulbosa and purchased organic fertilizer to improve the soil for her crops. A portion of the support was used to renovate the plant trellises for the development of Gymnema sylvestre.

Crops, animals found on the site (if farm) and methods, techniques applied:

The primary crops at this model are medicinal herbs, including Gymnema sylvestre (Thìa Canh), Mint (Bạc Hà), Eleutherine bulbosa (Sâm Đại Hành) and Solanum procumbens (Cà Gai Leo). Plants are rotated and harvested three times per year, following an initial one-year growth period.

Methods, techniques applied:

• Organic fertilization: Compound organic fertilizer composted from various leaves, straw, and animal manure is used to nourish the plants, ensuring the clean quality of the medicinal herbs.
• Manual weed control: Does not use chemical, opting instead to remove all weeds manually (a process taking about one week).

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.