Organic agriculture thrives in Dak Lak

Nico Nico Yasai Farm in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province. Weeds and leaves were cut and then stored with EM microorganism preparation from Japan. After a while, they became a sort of organic fertilizer for the soil.

Following Japan's organic vegetable growing method, the seeds will be sown in these fertilized beds without the use of any chemical fertilizers. This process has been applied by the Japanese and Vietnamese in this province for six years.

To protect vegetables from pests, this farm uses a variety of natural enemies. They also create their own biological insecticides from chilli, garlic, ginger and medicinal herbs. The solution is then sprayed directly on the vegetables to destroy pests.

In addition to investment, another Japanese company also wants to develop this cooperative model with the local farmers in Dak Lak Province to expand their safe organic farm to 10 hectares in the coming times. They will send experts from Japan to guide the farmers through the process of planting, tending and harvesting as well as to supervise the whole production.

At present, these companies provide nearly 500kg of safe fruits to the market. Consumers in Buon Ma Thuot City and Ho Chi Minh City seem to appreciate the quality.

The initial success of the organic farming model in the Central Highlands have prompted Japanese enterprises to expand this model to other areas of Vietnam. They aim to establish a brandname and eventually export these organic agriculture products to the Japanese market in the future.