Every day, 50-60 farmers who are also workers of Viet Phat trading construction joint stock company make thousands of tonnes of fertiliser. The company has been managed by a farmer in the past years.

Nguyen Van Khoa, a 50 year old farmer, is a catholic of Vinh Hoa parish in Hop Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province said that he was very busy so he left all managerial work to his wife.

His family used to heavily depend on agriculture cultivation and pig rearing. In 1998, his family borrowed capital from various sources for economice development and establishment of a company. So far, fertiliser products made by his company have been sold in many places in Nghe An province. Mr Khoa was selected by his commune' farmers into Hop Thanh co-operative's management board. In the past eight years, he and other members of the co-operative have focussed on development of occupations-related service. In fact, Hop Thanh co-operative has been leading in the district in producing ceramics, porcelain and interior decoration goods. In the past year, Viet Phat company's operation  has become profitable. In 2005, Mr Khoa's family purchased and processed thousands of farm produces from local farmers. In addition, he has invested in a production line of NPK fertiliser. Ms Hiep said that in 2005, her family made 1,500 tonnes of fertiliser.

Viet Phat company has employed over 100 workers who are children of farmers in the parish for a salary of VND 500,000 to VND 1.5 million per month and over 100 non-contractual people. It is said that each year, his family loan 30-40 tonnes of ferliser to local farmers without charging any interest.

Meanwhile, in Ben Tre province, farmer Vo Van Hon in Cho Lach district is a Hoa Hao Buddish sect follower. He is one of the founders of the free meal kitchen for poor patients in Tran Van An hospital in his province. Since 2003, it is estimated that his family had helped VND 550,000 million for poor people. In addition, Mr Vo Van Hon has raised fund to build two houses of unity worth VND 14 million. Last year, Mr Hon called for Hoa Hao sect followers to donate 1.5 tonnes of rice for poor farmers in Ba Tri and Chau Thanh districts. In spite of his age, he has still taken an active part in social activities.

In Hoa Dan hamlet, Nhi My commune, Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province, farmer Nguyen Thanh Tra, 54, a Ban Chinh Cao Dai sect follower has always taken a lead in a movement to help poor farmers in his religious region. In the 2000 flood, he and other follower Nguyen Thi Xe gave 100 gifts worth VND 10 million to poor families in his commune. He has also appealed others to help poor farmers.

By VAN NGHIEP CHUC