The Soil’s Guardian: Nurturing Nature’s Lifeblood

For farmers Pham Van Duan and Nguyen Thi Nhi, veterans of the Nam Dong Soybean Production Cooperative, soybeans are not just a stable source of income but also a “companion” that helps maintain the health of the land.

The Crop that Ended Hunger and its New Revival

In the 1990s, when migrants from northern Vietnam settled in Cu Jut and cultivated the basalt soil, soybeans took root alongside them. Due to their ease of cultivation, resistance to pests and diseases, stable yields, and low maintenance costs, soybeans quickly became a staple crop for thousands of households, symbolizing a new beginning in this fresh territory.

However, over time, traditional farming practices without technical advancements led to the degeneration of soybean varieties, resulting in declining yields and increasing production costs. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers also took a toll on the soil’s fertility. By the 2010s, soybeans, once a source of pride for Cu Jut, were neglected in favor of more marketable and easily investable crops.

In 2014, the Vinasoy Soybean Application Research Center (VSAC) began a project to purify the local white-flowered soybean variety, resulting in the creation of VINASOY 01-CT. This new variety helped local farmers regain their faith in soybean cultivation. In 2017, Duan and Nhi were among the first households to adopt this new variety and implement modern farming practices through their partnership with Vinasoy.

With the support of VSAC and the Nam Dong Cooperative, local farmers began to cultivate soybeans using innovative methods. Initially, the changes were challenging, from reducing the amount of seed planted to balanced fertilization and reduced use of pesticides, to cutting the roots during harvest and selling soybeans based on quality assessment criteria—all novel concepts to farmers accustomed to traditional methods.

When the Land Began to “Breathe” Again

The results were not immediate in the first season, but after a few cycles, the land showed signs of revival. The rate of seedling mortality decreased significantly, and high yields were maintained even without excessive fertilization in subsequent seasons. Leaving soybean roots in the soil helped replenish natural nitrogen levels, benefiting the subsequent peanut crop.

Duan’s soybean yield increased from 1.5-1.7 tons/ha to 2-2.2 tons/ha with the VINASOY 01-CT variety, a result of Vinasoy’s local variety purification process. With the introduction of VINASOY 02-NS, yields further excelled, surpassing 3 tons/ha. In addition to providing high-quality seeds, Vinasoy actively supported farmers through technical training, soil preparation guidance, germination rate checks, and organic fertilizer application techniques.

In 2022, Vinasoy established the “3 Tons/Ha Farmers Club” to recognize not just high yields but also a shift towards sustainable farming practices. Duan was a core member of this club, often sharing his experiences with other farmers.

Vinasoy presented club memberships as a token of appreciation to those who embraced change. In 2025, the company introduced a new variety, VINASOY 05, for testing in the Central Highlands, which is better suited to local conditions and facilitates mechanized harvesting.

Vinasoy: Partners in Preserving Soil Health

The soybean-peanut-sweet potato rotation in Cu Jut is now not just the most profitable farming model but also a sustainable one. Through their collaboration with Vinasoy, the farmers of Cu Jut have come to understand that soybeans not only produce protein-rich beans for human consumption but also act as “nitrogen fixers,” replenishing organic matter and enhancing soil health.

For over a decade, Vinasoy has steadfastly supported farmers in transforming their agricultural mindset. From researching suitable varieties to transferring sustainable techniques and fostering a community of shared learning, Vinasoy is helping to establish a new agricultural culture: farming with love for the land and a long-term vision for the future.