Hoa Binh GAP Co. Ltd completes
a 10,000-m2 greenhouse system to kick off production in 2018.
Previously, head of the company Pham Tien Sinh had spent one year preparing a greenhouse system and production infrastructure in line with Israeli standards. According to Sinh, greenhouse cultivation helps shield plants from harsh weather and diseases, and farmers can make decisions on nutrition, thus turning out safe and pesticide-free farm produce. Of total five hectares of land, the company has invested 3.2 billion VND in a 5,000-m2 greenhouse area in the first phase. In 2017, it grew the first crop of cucumbers, which was sold for 20,000 VND per kg and reeled in 360 million VND in total.
Kim Hoang Hau melon was selected for the second crop. The fruit was produced following the GAP standard with flawless look. The crop produced four tonnes of melons and total revenue hit 200 million VND.
The company continued with the cultivation of cantaloupe, a favourite fruit of consumers now. With the growing area doubling, the business earned 400 million VND from 8 tonnes of cantaloupe.
In the fourth crop, the company combined cantaloupe and Kim Hoang Hau melon, harvesting a total of eight tonnes for 400 million VND in revenue.
In December, Hoa Binh GAP plans to stop cultivation and start investing in the second phase with the construction of another 5,000-m2 greenhouse area. In January 2018, production of cantaloupe and Kim Hoang Yen melon will be resumed across the entire 10,000-m2 greenhouse complex, serving demand during the Lunar New Year holiday. Sinh said it would take 2.5 – 3 years for his company to make a profit, but the model is sustainable and caters to the market demand for clean farm produce.
Ngo Dinh Tam, head of the Lac Thuy Agriculture and Rural Development Division, said this is the first hi-tech farming model in the district and is a development way that Lac Thuy is heading to.
Hoa Binh GAP now provides jobs for 10 residents, with monthly wage raging between 5 and 10 million VND. The company plans to complete its greenhouse system on the remaining 4 hectares in 2019 to grow organic vegetables./.