Introducing an effective model of agricultural transformation

A pilot project for eggplant farming was initiated in Thuong Loc commune in 2012. The project covered a total area of 2 hectares.  Subsequently, the eggplants were available for harvest after only three months. As a result of the successful pilot project as well as the high-quality produce, many local residents have expanded their farming areas. This expansion led to the establishment of a specialized eggplant farming region in Thuong Loc commune. At the time of writing, the eggplant harvesting season is currently underway, and the on-field selling prices for eggplants range from 15,000 to 20,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, which are the highest levels recorded within the last few years. Local farmers are motivated as traders purchase eggplants immediately after harvest.

Ms. Luong Thi Hai, a farmer in Son Phu hamlet, Thuong Loc commune, shared that her family has been engaged in eggplant farming for several years. According to her, eggplants provide a stable and significantly higher income compared to that of rice farming. Thanks to the recent transition to organic farming practices in combination with favorable weather conditions and suitable soil fertility, her family's eggplant quality has been highly regarded, resulting in high and stable selling prices. With the aim of ensuring optimal eggplant growth and reducing water irrigation efforts, Ms. Hai utilizes plastic mulching to maintain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan, also an eggplant farmer, revealed that the prolonged cold spell prior to the 2024 Lunar New Year delayed the blooming of eggplants, resulting in a late harvesting season. On the other hand, the price of eggplants were relatively high at the beginning of the crop season. As a result, local farmers enjoyed a profitable harvest following the holidays thanks to stable market demand.

"We have been farming eggplants for several years so far. Thuong Loc eggplants have established a brand name on the market, and eggplant farming gradually became a traditional profession for the local community. Eggplants are planted in October according to the lunar calendar. Subsequently, they are harvested multiple times until the end of March in the following lunar year. Eggplants are currently priced between 15,000 and 20,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, with the highest level being 25,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram at the beginning of the crop season. Some households even earned up to ten million Vietnamese dong per crop season. Every eggplant produced is immediately bought by traders. They even travel to the fields to buy freshly harvested eggplants, and sometimes we don't even have enough eggplant to sell," shared Ms. Tran Thi Loc, a farmer in Son Phu hamlet, Thuong Loc commune.

Ms. Phan Thi Tam from Son Phu hamlet, Thuong Loc commune farms eggplants on one sao (approximately 360 square meters). According to her, the family recently harvested over 5 quintals of eggplants. Thanks to a stable selling price and eager traders, local farmers can focus on gradually improving the quality of their products instead of securing market outlets. "My family is currently taking care of the eggplants in preparation for the next harvest," Ms. Tam said.

Mr. Nguyen The Tuong, a trader from Son Phu hamlet, shared that in addition to cultivating one sao of eggplants, he purchases additional eggplants from fellow farmers to sell in local and neighboring markets. Mr. Tuong purchases nearly 3 quintals of eggplants daily and sells them in nearby areas such as Loc Ha and Ha Tinh City. The Thuong Loc eggplant variety is sold at higher prices thanks to its appealing color, mild flavor, and a lack of strong taste compared to other varieties. Moreover, these eggplants are farmed using a model aimed at promoting clean agriculture and organic production, thereby gaining trust from customers.

Eggplant has become an integral part of Thuong Loc commune within the last ten years, positioning itself as a traditional crop as well as a key economic driver for the region. Throughout the production process, this crop has proven to be well-suited to local weather conditions and soil fertility, resulting in high efficiency, quality, and economic value, with a stable consumer market. Furthermore, local farmers have implemented technical planting and care practices which prioritizes safe agriculture. Namely, they replace the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides with bio-pesticides. Additionally, techniques such as plastic mulching and straw cover ensure optimal eggplant growth and safety.

Thuong Loc commune currently houses 500 eggplant farms spanning 25 hectares, with large-scale production concentrated in the villages of Son Phu, Son Binh, Vinh Xuan, Dong Thanh, and Vinh Xa. During the peak seasons, retail eggplant prices range from 25,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, with an average on-field price of 20,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram. This year's eggplant crop boasts stable product outlets and high incomes, generating profits three to four times higher than that of rice farming. On average, each hectare of eggplant yields approximately 200 to 220 million Vietnamese dong in income, bringing in between 4 and 5 billion Vietnamese dong for Thuong Loc farmers per crop.

"To produce eggplants as a commodity and increase income for local farmers, the commune's government has invested in building irrigation canal systems, provided financial support, and organized training sessions on cultivation and care techniques. Additionally, we are establishing the Thuong Loc eggplant brand, with the aim of meeting VietGAP and OCOP standards to help farmers sell their products steadily at higher prices," said Mr. Nguyen Hai, Vice Chairman of the Thuong Loc Commune People's Committee.