Showing visitors around his greenhouse, where tomato plants are thriving and heavily laden with fruit, Sau recounted how he changed his approach to farming. Previously, his family mainly grew maize and plum, with production heavily dependent on weather conditions and yields and prices often fluctuating. Determined to find a more viable path, he actively visited and studied fruit-growing models both within and outside the province.

In 2018, he took the bold step of converting more than 3,000 square metres of underperforming plum orchards into orange cultivation, gradually expanding the scale thereafter. Today, his family manages more than 4 hectares of orange trees, grown using organic-oriented practices with an emphasis on safe production processes and improved agricultural quality.

Recognising growing demand for safe food, Sau went on to explore high-tech tomato farming. In early 2024, his family invested more than 2 billion VND in a permanent greenhouse, installing an automated irrigation system and water storage facilities, while improving the soil to produce tomatoes in line with food safety standards.

By proactively applying technical advances, the family now harvests more than 120 tonnes of tomatoes and over 100 tonnes of oranges annually, alongside seasonal vegetable production. Their products have secured stable markets in Hanoi and northern provinces, generating average annual revenue of more than 4 billion VND.

He said the transition from traditional farming to VietGAP practices and high-tech production required substantial investment and new technical knowledge. His family therefore learned through hands-on experience and visits to successful farming models, adapting what they learned to local conditions. He has also actively shared expertise, promoted production linkages and sought out markets to gradually improve economic efficiency.

Building on the success of Sau's farm, efforts to restructure crops and adopt advanced farming techniques have gained momentum in Tan Lap sub-zone. More households are investing in fruit and vegetable production using safe farming practices, gradually moving away from fragmented, small-scale cultivation. In 2023, eight local households joined forces to establish the Tan Lap High-Tech Agricultural Cooperative, providing mutual support in technical knowledge, experience and market access.

Vu Van Hieu, Director of the cooperative, said Sau is an active member with a keen understanding of market trends, a proactive approach to learning and a willingness to invest in production. Despite his advanced age, he remains enthusiastic about sharing technical knowledge and experience with other members. His family's farming model has encouraged more local households to rethink their production practices and embrace modern agriculture.

From underperforming farmland to large-scale, technology-driven production, Sau's journey highlights the value of hard work, initiative and a willingness to embrace new knowledge. His model is helping promote safe, interconnected and sustainable agricultural production, opening up opportunities for farmers in the area to increase their incomes./.