Hoi An communal agriculture: From crops to sustainable consumption links

In just over one term, the shift in crop structure, especially short-term crops, in Hoi An commune has clearly changed, contributing to improving income and living standards for the people. The main crops gradually dominating in inefficient rice fields is the direction that the locality has determined to focus on promoting and linking with sustainable consumption to rise from purely agricultural strengths.

Processing young corn after harvest.

Crop conversion

Hoi An commune was merged from the communes: Hoi An, Hoa An, Hoa Binh , with a natural area of ​​63.55km², population 73,695 people. The purely agricultural area has an agricultural land area of ​​more than 4,260ha, of which the rice growing area is more than 2,200ha, fruit trees 935ha, and color growing 953ha. In the ineffective rice growing areas, thanks to the mobilization of the local government, people have converted more than 117ha to grow short-term color crops. Young corn, tall potatoes and ornamental flowers are affirming their position as key crops and are a great potential and advantage for the locality to focus on developing diverse and sustainable agriculture, increasing people's income.

Vice Chairman of Hoi An Commune People's Committee Nguyen Huu Thuan said that agricultural production in the area has many advantages, with 26 closed dike sub-regions installed with 67 electric pumping stations to ensure annual drainage pumping to prevent flooding, helping farmers feel secure in reproducing during the rainy and stormy season. The capital support policy from the social policy bank is very timely. Farmers have a long tradition of growing vegetables, are experienced, diligent, actively learn new things, boldly invest in production, proactively seek markets, and apply technical advances to vegetable production.

Potato is also a crop that is becoming the mainstay of Hoi An's agricultural economy .

Over the past 5 years, after implementing the conversion of crop structure, the output of short-term crops has increased significantly. The area for growing young corn fluctuates around 500 hectares/crop and the estimated output is about 1,250 tons/crop. The locality has been granted a 100-hectare growing area code, initially participating in the export value chain. In the commune, Hoi An Safe Agricultural Products Cooperative has linked up with An Giang Vegetable and Food Joint Stock Company (Antesco) to consume young corn since 2021.

Director of Tran Cong Nghe Cooperative said that each year the unit is linked to consume an output of about 700 tons. With young corn, from 2020 up to now, farmers have effectively maintained the "2B" model (corn, cows = harvesting young corn and stalks to feed cows). People are not only assured thanks to stable output, but economic efficiency has also increased significantly, with an average profit of 20 million VND per hectare after deducting costs.

Flower growing model in An Thanh hamlet.

The potato growing area is about 200ha/crop, the output is about 2,600 tons/crop, the yield is 15-17 tons/ha, the profit is 80-100 million VND/ha. In particular, 150ha has been granted a growing area code, convenient for connecting consumption with the Ho Chi Minh City market. Besides, there are also 20ha of ornamental flowers grown in An Thanh hamlet, strong production during Tet; the consumption market is widespread throughout An Giang, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City; the average profit is 300 million VND/ha.

In 2024, a number of farming households in An Thanh flower village were supported by the Provincial Biotechnology Center to implement a model of applying scientific and technological advances in flower growing for tourism. This project not only provides seedlings, but also transfers techniques for growing flowers such as: Gerbera, roses, orchids, lilies, strawberries, etc. Thanks to that, people have more valuable knowledge to take care of flower gardens, control pests and diseases, and help flowers grow well.

Local authorities encourage the expansion of crop and ornamental plants in the commune.

Exploiting strengths

Up to now, the production value per hectare of agricultural land in Hoi An commune has reached 470 million VND/ha/year. The effectiveness of the model of harvesting young corn, taro in particular and short-term vegetable production in general has contributed to improving people's lives. Therefore, the quality of life of many households has been significantly improved, helping them have better living conditions. The conversion of crops not only brings economic benefits, but also contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development in the locality. The above results show that Hoi An has been forming an important foundation for agricultural development in the direction of commodity - market - sustainability.

In the context of restructuring the agricultural sector, the requirement for Hoi An commune is to change the crop structure appropriately, strongly develop short-term crops with high economic value, and at the same time build a sustainable production - consumption chain. This is the key orientation to increase added value and develop green, smart agriculture, adapting to climate change.

An Thanh flower village blooms during Tet.

In the coming term, in the orientation of agricultural development, the commune has identified taro and young corn as two key agricultural products, combined with ornamental flowers to build a typical local brand. The Party Committee and People's Committee of the commune have proposed to change the crop structure reasonably, gradually reduce the area of ​​ineffective rice, and expand the area of ​​short-term crops with high economic value. In particular, Hoi An Agricultural Cooperative is oriented to expand the area of ​​growing crops by 30 hectares. At the same time, mobilize farmers to grow Cat Chu mango according to technical standards, and participate in exporting to demanding markets.

In order to increase production value, the commune advocates building a reasonable crop rotation and intercropping structure between rice - crops, crops - crops; focusing on promoting the advantages of young corn, taro and ornamental flowers. At the same time, it encourages the application of new varieties, advanced techniques, mechanization, use of organic fertilizers and biological products; aiming at safe production, meeting VietGAP standards. Aiming at sustainable production, the commune is promoting the construction of a sustainable consumption linkage model, connecting farmers - cooperatives - enterprises; supporting the building of Hoi An vegetable brands associated with the OCOP program.

The locality has proposed key solutions in organizing production and planning specialized areas; transferring technical advances, applying high-tech agriculture; building a model of "Color Field" with contracts for consumption with businesses, supermarkets, and wholesale markets. The locality also focuses on equipping farmers with safe farming techniques, VietGAP; encouraging young people to start businesses in the field of production, processing and consumption of vegetables; promptly implementing policies to support agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

Article and photos: MY HANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nong-nghiep-xa-hoi-an-tu-cay-mau-den-lien-ket-tieu-thu-ben-vung-a462877.html