Ms. Dao Thi Xuan Huong, a farmer from Phu Yen province, is dedicated to agricultural work not only in her garden and rice fields but now also in the laboratory. Scientific investments have enabled her to achieve something that few farmers have dared to imagine. That is the production of mushroom spawn right in the weather conditions of Central Vietnam.
Ms. Dao Thi Xuan Huong has over 10 years of experience in mushroom cultivation. However, her hands are now accustomed to both the computer keyboard and statistical calculation programs, along with a list of her business partners. Some households have earned tens of millions of VND from mushroom farming within just six months, all sourcing their mushroom spawn from her.
Mushroom cultivation is not a new concept in rural areas. Straw, which is often seen as waste, has been transformed into a valuable mushroom product. People refer to these mushrooms as “clean meat.” In the Central provinces, many farmers choose mushroom cultivation to address idle labor and to utilize agricultural by-products.
From Phu Yen, Ms. Dao Thi Xuan Huong invested her money to travel to Hanoi to learn from scientists about the methods of producing mushroom spawn. After two years of failures, she achieved success in 2004. Now, she has established a mushroom business cooperative, supplying approximately 1.2 tons of spawn bags to farmers each week.
Ms. Huong notes that there is still much work to be done in the mushroom industry, including stabilizing the market and making deeper investments in this field. However, her contributions have helped many farmers change their mindset and practices, leading to increased income. More importantly, her exploration and research demonstrate that farmers can also engage in scientific endeavors.
