In Hoa Vang commune, Nguyen Thi Nhinh, 38, is widely recognized as an exemplary farmer. Her circular agriculture model not only provides stable income but also inspires many local households.

Previously, Nhinh worked as a factory worker with a modest salary that barely covered living expenses. Responding to the call for rural economic development, she ventured into agriculture.

Starting with 8 breeding goats and over 100 red-flesh dragon fruit plants supported by the local government, she borrowed VND370 million from a bank and the village Women’s Union to expand production on her family’s unproductive acacia land.

Besides the goat herd, she raised cows, planted custard apples, bananas, and leafy greens, and built solid livestock farms. 

“The land was full of rocks and uninhabited, so I had to improve it bit by bit. Lacking farming and husbandry experience, my crops and animals often got sick, resulting in low economic returns,” Nhinh recalled.

Through persistence, her livestock and crops began generating income. She combined crop cultivation with animal husbandry, expanded production, gained practical experience, learned from successful models elsewhere, studied books and the internet, and attended technical training courses.

As her model stabilized, she sought new directions to adapt to market fluctuations, ensuring sustainable development.

Turning barren land into 'gold mine'

In 2017, when the farm produce market faced challenges, Nhinh converted low-yield crop areas into grass fields for goat and cow feed.

Now she uses cow and goat manure to raise earthworms in a 100 sq m area with 12 built tanks (each 5 sq m). With this model, she harvests earthworms year-round in four cycles, each tank yielding an average of 10 kg of worms and 400 kg of organic fertilizer.

Earthworms are mixed with grass, bran, and corn as feed; surplus worms are sold at VND70,000/kg, and organic fertilizer at VND2,000/kg. This approach cuts costs, improves product quality, and protects the environment.

Currently, on an over 1-hectare area, she raises 110 goats, 5 cows, over 300 chickens (raised seasonally), and grows 1,500 sq m of vegetables and fruits, and grass. Annually, the model generates about VND300 million in revenue, with net profit of over VND200 million after expenses.

“This circular agricultural production model not only reduces input costs and increases production value but also minimizes environmental pollution and delivers safe products. Despite market fluctuations, I maintain stable income,” Nhinh said, adding that she plans to scale up production with a focus on ‘safe’ farm produce.

Ha Nam