However good a growing medium is, and however well a microbial fertiliser works, the final answer lies in the field. So after training and producing its first batches, the project “Applying science and technology to build production models for organic growing media and microbial fertilisers for forestry, medicinal and ornamental plants in Quảng Nam Province”, carried out by Minh Tâm and the Soils and Fertilizers Research Institute (SFRI), set up demonstration models: one for flowers and ornamentals, and one for the medicinal plant ba kích in the mountains of Tây Giang.
The flower and ornamental model: chrysanthemum beds and potted plants
The model consists of chrysanthemum beds and a nursery of potted flowers and ornamentals grown on organic growing media together with microbial fertiliser. The pots are filled with the project's organic growing medium, and a model sign stands in the chrysanthemum field so visitors can follow it.
According to the public procurement record on the National E-Procurement System, at the end of 2024 Minh Tâm bought for the project 160,000 chrysanthemum plantlets (5–8 cm tall with 6–8 true leaves), 12,000 lily bulbs of size 10/12 and 2,000 kumquat seedlings 18–23 cm tall, funded by Quảng Nam Province's science and technology budget.
Training and a workshop in Hội An Tây
So that flower growers can apply the method themselves, the project held a training course on “the procedure for using organic growing media and microbial fertiliser for flowers and ornamentals” and a workshop “evaluating the use of organic growing media and microbial fertiliser in flower and ornamental growing” in Hội An Tây (November 2025) for local flower growers.
Detailed evaluation figures for the model have not yet been published on the website. Interested growers and cooperatives can contact Minh Tâm for details.
The ba kích model: growing media for an upland medicinal plant
In the western mountains, the model “Using growing media and microbial fertiliser for medicinal plants” was set up with ba kích in Agrồng village, A Tiêng commune, Tây Giang district (names before July 2025), during 2024–2025. The sign in the plot names the two implementing organisations: Minh Tam Agricultural Development JSC and the Soils and Fertilizers Research Institute (SFRI).
The project team went all the way up to the hillside ba kích plot and visited the model on site with local residents.
Why ba kích, and why Tây Giang?
Tây Giang is one of the medicinal-plant areas of the former Quảng Nam Province. According to Báo Đà Nẵng (November 2023), the area had developed more than 1,000 ha of đảng sâm and purple ba kích under the province's plan to conserve and develop medicinal plants for 2018–2025. Another Báo Đà Nẵng article (May 2025) said ba kích suits the soils and farming customs of the Cơ Tu people, and that traders buy it after 5–6 years of growth.
For a long-cycle crop like ba kích, the model lets growers see with their own eyes how growing media and microbial fertiliser are used, in a plot in their own area.
What the two models have in common
Both use organic growing media together with microbial fertiliser; the project cultures the strains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Azotobacter vinelandii.
Both are sited locally, in real fields and gardens, where growers can follow them.
Both include on-site visits; the flower and ornamental model also had training and an evaluation workshop.
Key facts
Flower and ornamental model: chrysanthemum beds and potted flowers and ornamentals; evaluation workshop in Hội An Tây, November 2025.
Planting material bought for the project at the end of 2024: 160,000 chrysanthemum plantlets, 12,000 lily bulbs, 2,000 kumquat seedlings.
Ba kích model: Agrồng village, A Tiêng commune, Tây Giang district (names before July 2025), 2024–2025.
Implemented by: Minh Tâm and the Soils and Fertilizers Research Institute.
See more photos on the pages Organic growing media model for flowers and ornamentals and Ba kích model in Tây Giang. Cooperatives, growers and local authorities who would like to learn more about the models are welcome to contact Minh Tâm through the Contact page or on the hotline 0812 492 555.
Sources: National E-Procurement System (muasamcong.mof.gov.vn), tender notice IB2400448933; Báo Đà Nẵng, 25 November 2023 and 25 May 2025; Minh Tâm project records.
