Greenhouses enables year-round crop production

Morning sunlight slants gently across the mountain slopes, illuminating a corner of a concrete road in Binh Lu commune (Lai Chau province), where white-roofed structures line the road. These rows of greenhouses, each covering approximately 2,000 square meters, mark a significant transformation in agricultural development in this border region.

Inside, the murmur of irrigation systems blends with the busy rhythm of footsteps. The entire 7,000 square meters of greenhouses in the area currently belong to the Tan Binh Vegetable Cooperative, led by Tran Dinh Vuong. Every day, Vuong diligently inspects each row of vegetables. His hands are calloused and sun-tanned, but his eyes always shine with faith in a better life through agriculture.

A determination to change

The entire greenhouse infrastructure was completed in early 2024, following the implementation of Resolution 07 by the Lai Chau Provincial People's Council, which provides support of 100,000 VND per square meter for greenhouse construction and covers 50% of irrigation system costs. Leveraging capital accumulated over many years alongside this state policy, Vuong and his cooperative members boldly invested over 600 million VND to construct 7,000 square meters of greenhouses. Of this total, the state provided 100 million VND in support, and half of the 50 million VND cost for the irrigation system was also subsidized.

Vegetables have long been a staple for the people of Binh Lu. Before 2024, Vuong and the cooperative members farmed over 1.5 hectares of outdoor crops for commercial purposes, mainly mustard greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers, supplying the Tam Duong market and neighboring provinces. However, farming at that time was entirely dependent on the weather.

"Prolonged rain meant waterlogged vegetables. We lacked technical expertise, so some crops took up to 50 days to harvest. Often, extended rains led to pest infestations, leaving us with nothing to sell," Vuong recalled. In those years, profits hovered around only 30 - 40 million VND per year. Residents often had to leave for the lowlands to work as hired laborers or masons, while vegetable farming was largely left to the elderly who lacked the strength for heavy labor.

Major victories thanks to... storms

Since the construction of the greenhouses, everything has changed. Within the enclosed space, temperatures are stably maintained at 25 - 28°C, allowing vegetables to grow evenly with fewer pests.

"Thanks to the greenhouses, I save about 30% on fertilizer and reduce pesticide use by 30%. The produce looks better, and yields have doubled," Vuong confided.

Every 1,000 square meters of mustard greens yields about one ton per crop, allowing for 10 - 11 continuous crops per year, whereas outdoor farming only allows for about 6 - 7 crops annually.

This year, Northern Vietnam suffered several major typhoons, severely impacting agricultural production, particularly vegetable crops. In many areas, outdoor vegetables were crushed and unharvestable. Yet in Binh Lu, the Tan Binh Vegetable Cooperative's 7,000 square meters of greenhouses remained lush and green, crop after crop. Nearly a dozen harvests have been collected regularly, supplying the entire province and downstream provinces. Selling prices stabilized at 13,000 VND/kg, rising to 15,000 VND/kg in September and October. From just mustard greens and cucumbers, the cooperative earned a profit of over 300 million VND, paying off old debts and securing capital to improve the soil and develop new vegetable varieties.

The entire greenhouse complex is equipped with a water filtration system at the well source to eliminate lime and impurities. Inspection results from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lai Chau province confirm that the water source meets standards for VietGAP production.

"Sustainability starts with cleanliness at the root. Delicious vegetables depend on the soil and water," Vuong affirmed.

Vuong's story is cited by Tran Nhu Hop, Vice Chairman of the Binh Lu Commune People's Committee, as a prime example of the local agricultural development vision: "Developing organic agriculture and applying science and technology is one of the breakthrough stages in the Commune Party Congress Resolution. Expanding greenhouse and net-house models is a direction well-suited to local conditions. Binh Lu possesses the advantages of a cool climate and fertile soil, highly suitable for safe vegetable production."

Hop stated that in the coming time, the commune will continue to support farmers in linking product consumption, tying it to traceability and production under VietGAP standards, aiming to build a brand and create signature provincial products.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lai Chau province, the total vegetable cultivation area in the province has reached over 3,210 hectares, with an output of approximately 23,500 tons. Over 95% of tested vegetable samples meet food safety standards. The agricultural sector's future orientation involves tracing the origin of growing areas and creating conditions to support farmers in building more greenhouses and developing high-tech applications in vegetable cultivation.

*1 USD = 26,364.00 VND (Source: Vietcombank)