A model for growing vegetables using hydroponic technology at the Research and Application Zone.
Transferring scientific and technological advancements in agriculture and forestry in Moc Chau district.

Initial effectiveness

The model was implemented at the Moc Chau Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology Application and Transfer Research Area, under the Center for Startup and Innovation Support, Department of Science and Technology of the province. It involved testing the cultivation of cantaloupe, tomatoes, and lettuce using coconut fiber and hydroponics, covering a total area of ​​nearly 2,000 m² in a greenhouse. The model applies recirculating irrigation technology, where nutrients are dissolved in storage tanks and automatically pumped into coconut fiber substrates to nourish the plants. The nutrients are then recovered back into the storage tanks and treated with UV light to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses before being pumped back to the plants to provide nutrients.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Center for Supporting Innovation and Startups, said: "Recently, farmers growing short-term vegetables and fruits in the province have been facing the risk of soil-borne diseases. In particular, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes are disease-causing agents that are very difficult to control due to the lack of specific treatments, causing significant losses in agricultural production. Therefore, soilless substrate cultivation using coconut fiber and hydroponics is a solution to overcome this situation."

Initial results show that after 75 days of growing cantaloupe using the substrate method, the harvest was successful, with uniform quality, weighing 1.8-2 kg/fruit, high sweetness, crispness, and aroma. Lettuce and tomatoes grew well, yielding 1.5 times more than in soil, and shortening the growing time by 7-10 days per crop. On average, 1,000 m2 of greenhouse tomato cultivation yielded 100-120 million VND in revenue after 4-6 months; for cantaloupe, after 2.5-3 months of cultivation, revenue reached 120-150 million VND.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Huy, from the Institute of Vegetable and Fruit Research, stated: Hydroponic technology has been widely adopted by many facilities in Lam Dong province and Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to its advantage of minimizing the impact of external factors on crops. Currently, most households in Moc Chau still mainly grow crops in soil. Therefore, this pilot model opens up a new direction, helping households better understand the role of science and technology and gradually equipping them with the knowledge to readily access the market when needed.

Replicating the model

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

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

Mr. Nguyen Van Duyen, from Ta Niet village, Chieng Hac commune, Moc Chau district, shared: "In 2023, my family participated in the 'Smart Agriculture for Future Generations' project and received support in the form of seeds and the upgrading of a 1,200 m2 greenhouse for tomato cultivation. On average, each crop yields 21 tons of fruit. After visiting and learning from practical experiences, we found that this soilless cultivation technique has many outstanding advantages: plants grow uniformly, pests and diseases are reduced, water and fertilizer are saved, and productivity and quality are increased compared to the old farming method. My family will utilize the existing greenhouse area to apply this method of tomato cultivation."

The project, which applies hydroponic technology using soilless substrates to produce safe vegetables and fruits, will be implemented from April 2024 to May 2025. After the project is completed, the Institute of Vegetable and Fruit Research will hand over all assets, including the soilless vegetable growing equipment system, to the Center for Startup and Innovation Support for continued management, use, and widespread adoption.

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

The application of hydroponic technology, using soilless growing media, is a promising direction with great potential, as the market is increasingly demanding higher-quality products. Therefore, models for growing vegetables and fruits using hydroponic technology open 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.

Source: Son La Newspaper