A high-tech rose cultivation model is transforming livelihoods for hundreds of K'Ho ethnic minority households in Lâm Đồng Province's Central Highlands. In the days leading up to Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20), the rose-growing village at the foot of Langbiang Mountain was bustling with harvesting and trading activity. As prices rose and demand surged, local farmers were enjoying the profits.
At his greenhouse early in the morning, Bon Yô Soa busily cut roses for delivery to wholesalers in his garden in Đankia neighbourhood, Langbiang Ward. With his 1,200sq.m. velvet rose garden, he harvests 600-700 stems every other day.
"After seeing many local farmers earn good profits from growing roses, I decided to learn and start my own garden. With support from the local Farmers' Association, I received a loan to buy seedlings, fertilisers and build a greenhouse. This high-tech model has given my family a stable income and allowed my children to attend school," Soa said.
Cil Ha Vit, also from Đankia, said that since switching from coffee to roses, his family had escaped unstable seasonal income. With a 2,000sq.m. greenhouse, Ha Vit harvests 5,000-6,000 rose stems weekly, earning VNĐ5-6 million ($190-230) at an average of VNĐ1,000 per stem.
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