4 Scientists Quit Government Jobs to Pursue 'One-Straw Revolution' Farming

Four scientists, including three with master's degrees and one with a PhD, left their government jobs to pursue natural farming in Vietnam. Nguyen Duc Chinh, the initiator, was inspired by the struggles of a pregnant woman buying organic vegetables and Masanobu Fukuoka's book "The One-Straw Revolution." Chinh and his colleagues, including his wife Nguyen Thi Duyen, established Green Gen in 2014. They aim to produce affordable organic agriculture products using sustainable methods. In 2020, the group rented land and began implementing Fukuoka's natural farming techniques. Focusing on soil health, crop diversification, and natural pest control, they overcame initial challenges and now operate a thriving farm with a balanced ecosystem, evidenced by the abundance of earthworms in their fertile soil.