Former village head Trang A Cao and his Mong community have turned a simple herbal “vaccine” into a thriving, eco‑friendly orchard model. Their success shows how low‑cost, locally brewed solutions can replace toxic chemicals while boosting income.

Cao brews his own pest‑repelling “vaccine” by fermenting galangal, pseudo‑ginseng, Angelica sinensis, rice‑wine starter, yogurt, molasses and fish protein. When sprayed, the preparation repels pests without harming workers or the surrounding ecosystem.

To cope with the water‑scarce highland, Cao built 10‑cubic‑meter water storage tanks and installed drip‑irrigation. He says the system conserves every drop of water, reduces the need for electric pumps and saves labour.

The cooperative strictly avoids chemical herbicides, clearing grass with mechanical mowers three times a year. The cut grass becomes a thick organic mulch that keeps soil moisture, prevents erosion and provides habitats for natural predators such as ladybugs, spiders and grasshoppers. Seven Mong households now manage 15‑20 ha, earning VND500‑600 million annually and escaping poverty.

Agronomist Dr Pham Thi Thu Huong of the Agroecology Learning Alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA) called the microbial solution and water‑saving drip irrigation a highly valuable innovation. The model shows that restoring soil health can deliver both higher profits and environmental benefits.