Developing clean vegetables through closed-loop supply chains

Amid rising demand for safe food, many farmers in Dong Nai have turned to growing clean, organic vegetables in greenhouse systems and adopting hydroponic technology.

The hydroponic vegetable farm of Dang Van Phi in Tan An commune remains lush year-round and provides a stable source of income.

Rather than focusing solely on product quality, these farming models are gradually building links with purchasing enterprises to secure stable market outlets, contributing to the development of green and sustainable agriculture.

Prioritizing clean vegetable cultivation

Visitors to the hydroponic vegetable farm of Dang Van Phi, 62, in Tan An commune are greeted by rows of evenly grown vegetables thriving inside a modern greenhouse system. After roughly two years of operation, Phi’s hydroponic farming model has gradually stabilized and generated encouraging economic returns.

Phi said his family had previously grown bananas, but the results were not particularly effective. After researching market trends and recognizing the rising demand for clean vegetables, he decided to switch to hydroponic farming to produce safe food for consumers.

According to Phi, what he values most about the model is its focus on green, clean agriculture with minimal reliance on chemicals. The entire cultivation area uses biological pest control products. Moreover, greenhouse production significantly reduces pest problems and minimizes weather-related impacts.

“Every meal needs green vegetables, so consumer demand is always strong. If investment is directed properly, capital recovery can be much faster than with many other crops. That is why I chose clean vegetables and believe I am moving in the right direction, consistent with my initial purpose of investing in clean agriculture,” Phi shared.

In the early stages, his family faced numerous challenges, including limited experience, insufficient capital, and unstable product outlets. However, through continuous learning, technical improvements, and support from various organizations, the family’s clean vegetable products gradually gained market acceptance.

Phi added that one major advantage of hydroponic greenhouse cultivation is its long-term durability. The greenhouse covering can last five to seven years, while the steel framework and hydroponic pipe systems are highly durable, helping reduce long-term costs. By limiting exposure to adverse weather conditions, vegetable yields remain stable throughout the year. At present, production has increased, with each greenhouse capable of generating around VND20 million in income.

Elsewhere, the Nui Cui Agricultural Cultivation and Processing Facility in Gia Kiem commune has also embraced clean agriculture, developing a greenhouse system covering roughly 1.2 hectares. There, the entire production process relies on organic fertilizers and microbial products to ensure consumer safety while minimizing environmental impacts.

Truong Hoan Thien, owner of Nui Cui Agricultural Cultivation and Processing Facility, said vegetable prices sometimes fluctuate sharply. However, the facility strives to maintain stable pricing to support consumers and sustain confidence in clean products.

“Clean vegetables continue to enjoy strong appeal because people are increasingly concerned about health. Beyond protecting both producers and consumers, stable market prices also help me maintain this clean farming model,” Thien noted.

Thanks to systematic investment and tightly managed production processes, greenhouse vegetable models are increasingly proving to be an effective and sustainable approach to modern agricultural development.

Creating stable market outlets

Alongside production, establishing reliable outlets for clean vegetables has also become a priority for many households and businesses. At Dau Giay Agricultural and Food Wholesale Market in Dau Giay ward, vegetable trading activities remain relatively stable. According to traders, price stability has helped facilitate both sourcing and distribution.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, a market trader, said she has been selling vegetables for many years, primarily sourcing produce from farmers across Dong Nai and distributing it to retail outlets in neighboring provinces and cities. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand the distribution of clean vegetables to meet increasingly diverse consumer demand.

In addition to wholesale markets, many businesses have entered partnerships to purchase products from farmers. Among them, DORI Clean Vegetables Co., Ltd. in Gia Kiem commune is regarded as one of the more effective connectors between producers and consumer markets.

Do Minh Trung, Director of DORI Clean Vegetables Co., Ltd., said the company currently sources around 40–50% of its vegetable supply locally. Meanwhile, the remainder is sourced through partnerships with suppliers in various provinces and cities to meet market demand for more than 20 vegetable varieties.

On average, the company supplies between five and seven tons of vegetables per day to supermarket systems and clean-food distribution chains. According to Trung, bringing clean vegetables into supermarkets has helped stabilize market outlets while encouraging farmers to invest more confidently in safe agricultural production.

“Clean agriculture must be driven by integrity. If growers do not farm with genuine commitment, vegetables cannot truly be clean.”

Dang Van Phi, owner of a hydroponic vegetable farming facility in Tan An commune

Dang Thanh Tung, specialist at Tan An commune’s Economic Division, said several greenhouse clean-vegetable models are currently operating locally, notably the hydroponic farming model run by Dang Van Phi’s family. These models have delivered positive initial results, contributing to improved agricultural product quality and higher incomes for residents, and are therefore being encouraged for wider replication.

According to Tung, the locality aims to further promote clean agriculture by enabling more households to access and learn hydroponic farming techniques in order to expand cultivation areas. At the same time, local authorities will continue seeking funding support for farmers and strengthening consumption linkages to bring clean and safe vegetables to consumers.

By To Tam – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho