Organic Agriculture: Great Potential, But Many Challenges

On a nearly one-hectare farm in Quang Ninh Province, Mr. Bui Sy Tuyen uses a circular agricultural model, raising chickens and vegetables. He utilizes chicken manure to cultivate earthworms, then uses the earthworm castings as fertilizer for his vegetables and the earthworms themselves as chicken feed. Recognizing the increasing market demand for fresh fruit and vegetables, he recently adopted organic farming practices. His farm produces 700-1,000 chickens monthly and 70-100kg of vegetables daily, all grown with organic fertilizer and an automatic watering system. While consumers appreciate his organically grown produce, expanding production poses challenges. Limited land availability restricts the variety of vegetables he can grow, and finding suitable partners for expansion has proven difficult. According to Mr. Tran Van Thuc, Director of the Quang Ninh Plant Protection and Cultivation Sub-Department, widespread adoption of organic agriculture in the province faces obstacles like small-scale production, limited suitable land, and lack of awareness among producers. Furthermore, high organic standards and low consumer awareness hinder broader market penetration. The provincial government is promoting organic farming through policy support, encouraging research into organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides, and providing guidance on organic production processes.