Vegetable growing model applying hydroponic technology at the Applied Research Zone,
Transfer of scientific and technological advances in agriculture and forestry in Moc Chau district.

Initial results

The model is deployed at the Research and Application Zone, transferring scientific and technological advances in agriculture and forestry in Moc Chau, under the Center for Supporting Innovative Startups, Department of Science and Technology of the province; with the experiment of growing melons, tomatoes and lettuce, using coconut fiber, hydroponics, a total area of ​​nearly 2,000m² in the greenhouse. The model applies recirculating irrigation technology, nutrients are dissolved in tanks, automatically pumped into coconut fiber substrates to feed plants; then collected back to the tank and treated with UV ultraviolet lamps to kill bacteria, fungi, and disease-causing viruses, before being pumped back to provide nutrients to feed plants.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Center for Supporting Innovative Startups, said: Recently, short-term vegetable and fruit growers in the province are facing the risk of plants being infected with diseases in the soil. In particular, bacteria, fungi and nematodes are pathogens that are difficult to prevent and control, due to the lack of specific drugs, causing damage to agricultural production. Therefore, the technology of growing plants using soilless substrates, using coconut fiber and hydroponics is a solution to overcome the above situation.

Initial results show that after 75 days of growing melons using the substrate method, the harvest was of uniform quality, weighing 1.8-2 kg/fruit, high sweetness, crunchy, and fragrant. For lettuce and tomatoes, the growth was good, the yield increased 1.5 times compared to land production, shortening the growing time by 7-10 days/crop. On average, 1,000 m2 of greenhouse growing tomatoes, after 4-6 months, the revenue was 100-120 million VND; for melons, after 2.5-3 months of planting, the revenue reached 120-150 million VND.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Huy, Vegetable and Fruit Research Institute, said: Hydroponic technology has been widely applied by many establishments in Lam Dong province and Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to the advantage of helping plants to be less affected by external factors. Currently, most households in Moc Chau still mainly grow plants on land. Therefore, the pilot model opens up a new direction, helping households to be more aware of the role of science and technology and gradually equip themselves with knowledge to be ready to approach the market when needed.

Replicating the model

Recently, the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Vietnam organized a training course on safe fruit and vegetable production techniques for 45 farming households in Moc Chau district. Farmers were directly guided on the technical process of production using soilless technology, using coconut fiber substrate, and hydroponics, helping farmers better understand advanced agricultural techniques and providing opportunities to increase productivity in fruit and vegetable cultivation.

Leaders of the Department of Science and Technology evaluated the model of growing melons using coconut fiber substrate.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duyen, Ta Niet village, Chieng Hac commune, Moc Chau district, shared: In 2023, my family participated in the project "Smart agriculture for future generations" and was supported with seeds and upgraded 1,200 m2 of greenhouses for growing tomatoes. On average, each crop yields 21 tons of fruit. After visiting and learning from practical experiences, I found that this soil-free growing technique has many outstanding advantages, with plants growing evenly, reducing pests and diseases, saving water and fertilizer, and increasing productivity and quality compared to the old farming method. My family will take advantage of the existing greenhouse area to apply this method of growing tomatoes.

The project of applying hydroponic technology, using soil-free growing media to produce safe vegetables and fruits will be implemented from April 2024 to May 2025. After the model is completed, the Vegetable and Fruit Research Institute will hand over all assets, which are the soil-free vegetable growing equipment system invested in, to the Center for Supporting Innovative Startups for continued management, use and transfer for replication.

Mr. Luu Binh Khiem, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said: Currently, the model of applying hydroponic technology, using soil-free substrates to produce safe vegetables and fruits is proving effective. After the success of the model, the Department will transfer the process of planting and caring for a number of high-yield, high-quality vegetables and fruits; from there, evaluate and replicate the transfer to businesses, cooperatives and individuals in need.

The model of applying hydroponic technology, using substrates without soil is a promising direction, because the market is increasingly demanding, requiring higher quality products. Therefore, the model of growing vegetables and fruits using hydroponic technology opens up new opportunities for the development of high-tech agriculture in Moc Chau and other localities, enhancing the value and competitiveness of the province's agricultural products.

According to: Son La Newspaper