Mangos are grown in Dong Nai province (Photo: dangcongsan.vn)

Dinh Cong Tam began a business on 2 hectares of land he inherited from his parents. Tam spent a lot of time studying climate and soil conditions and decided to grow mangos. An industrious and dynamic person, Tam applied science and technology to the project. He installed water-saving irrigation and pesticide spraying systems which help to create high-quality produce. Tam’s mango farm produces around 30 tons per hectare, generating revenues of 9,000 USD per year. Tam is not only a good businessman, he also takes an active part in social activities and helps other locals to increase their own production. He called for the establishment of a 10-member housing support group. Each member contributes 135 USD per year, which is used to help group members repair their houses. Tam said: “We set up a fund to which each member of the group contributes some money. The fund is used to support any member in need”.  

Tam was appointed President of Tuc Trung commune’s Farmers Association and Head of high-quality mango club, which provides information on seeds, prices, and cultivation techniques to the farmers. Mr. Tam acted as guarantor to allow 3 poor ethnic households to obtain loans of 1,350 USD from the district’s fund for the poor for cow raising. Thanks to Mr. Tam, those households were able to escape from poverty. Mr. Tam said: “The model has proved very effective and suitable to this locality. I have asked for more loans to enable poor households to join the project. Households which grow crops in the district should be supported”.

Mr. Tam’s effort has been praised by the local authorities. Doan Thanh Hoang, Vice Chairman of Tuc Trung commune’s People Committee, said he hopes Mr. Tam will continue to help local people develop their production and business: “Mr. Tam is a prestigious person among the ethnic minority people in the commune. He is a role model for doing business. Tam has also enthusiastically shared with other local people his techniques for growing mangos effectively”.

A role model like Mr. Tam encourages ethnic minority people in Dong Nai province to strive harder to become better-off.