In the fertile soils of Đồng Nai Province, a quiet transformation is taking root. Farmers like Lê Văn Đen in Tân Tiến Commune are turning away from conventional methods, instead nurturing their newly planted pepper vines with organic techniques. His approach is part of a broader shift in the southeastern province, where authorities are pushing for organic and high-tech agriculture to boost productivity, protect the environment, and meet the growing demand for safe food.
The province’s strategy is clear: create concentrated farming zones, improve product quality, and integrate organic practices across production, processing, and trade. The goal is ambitious—organic products can fetch 1.5 to 2 times the price of conventional ones while reducing costs and environmental harm. For farmers, this means better incomes and safer working conditions. For consumers, it translates to cleaner, traceable food.
The transition is already yielding results. Take Nguyễn Văn Luận, a pepper farmer in Đắc Ơ Commune, who switched to organic methods eight years ago. His three-hectare farm now holds European organic certification, and his profits have risen by 25–40 percent—all while cutting production costs. “Many think chemical inputs are necessary,” he says, “but organic farming isn’t as hard as people assume.” His co-operative, Bình Phước Organic Agriculture, proves his point: 29 of its 100 members have earned organic certification, while others follow sustainable Rainforest Alliance standards. Their partnership with Nedspice Processing Vietnam ensures premium prices—20 percent higher for organic pepper and 5 percent more for safe pepper—securing steady demand.
Organic cashew farming is also thriving. The Trảng Cỏ Bù Lạch Organic Cashew Co-operative, with over 200 members (many from ethnic minority groups), manages 1,000 hectares under contract farming. Farmers like Điểu Nu report stable, higher prices—VNĐ500–1,000 more per kilogram—compared to conventional markets. Thị Khưi, the co-operative’s director, highlights the broader impact: “Organic farming improves quality, ensures fair pricing, and stabilizes markets. It’s not just about profits—it’s about lifting people out of poverty.”
Beyond organic methods, Đồng Nai is embracing high-tech agriculture. The province’s expanded land—now over 338,000 hectares after merging with Bình Phước—offers vast potential for specialized farming zones. In Đak Lua Commune, farmers have swapped rice and maize for high-value seed production, including bitter melon and angled luffa, earning hundreds of millions of đồng per hectare. Partnerships with enterprises like Trang Viet Agricultural Development provide seeds, inputs, and technical support, reducing risks for growers.
The province’s focus on value chains is equally strategic. By adopting drip irrigation, greenhouses, and smart nutrient systems, farms meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, opening doors to export markets. Support policies—tax incentives, land assistance, and low-interest credit—further incentivize innovation. The “four-party cooperation” model, linking farmers, scientists, businesses, and authorities, ensures these efforts are sustainable.
For Đồng Nai, the shift isn’t just about farming—it’s about resilience. Climate change and volatile markets demand adaptive solutions, and organic, high-tech agriculture offers a path forward. As more farmers like Đen and Luận prove its viability, the province’s vision of high-value, sustainable farming edges closer to reality. The message is clear: the future of agriculture here isn’t just in the soil—it’s in how it’s cultivated.