Cow-herd Ho Giao - Vietnam’s farming hero
(VOV) - Rancher Ho Giao, a popular figure in many literary works by Vietnamese writers, passed away on October 14 at the age of 86.
Giao was born into a farm family in Tinh Son Commune in Quang Ngai province. At the age of 13, he worked as a cowhand for various rich families in the province. At the age of 18, he joined the revolution to fight French invaders.
Giao then worked as a professional cattle raiser at Ba Vi Agriculture Farm in the 1960s. Soon he became a good example of a successful farmer with his special way of raising milk cows.
He was bestowed the title “Labour Hero” by the state in 1966 and 1986, when he successfully tamed a herd of 500 buffaloes from India at Song Be agriculture farm.
At his retirement, he was presented with 15 Murrah buffalos by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong who asked him to help his fellow villagers to escape poverty.
 |
|
Rancher Ho Giao
|
Hoang Thai Nhi recalled the time Ho Giao lived and worked for the district’s Hanh Thuan buffalo farm.
"Everybody who lives here knows him well. We saw him traveling to and from work everyday. He always wore a helmet and never said no to anybody who asked for a lift. We know that he always kept in mind Prime Minister Pham Van Dong’s wish to help us escape poverty by developing our herd of Murrah buffalos," Nhi shared.
It is said that Ho Giao was talented in taming cattle. Unruly cows and Murrah buffalos became docile around Ho Giao who aided the deliveries of many calves.
Nguyen Huu Hai, Secretary of Hanh Thuan commune’s Party Committee, said, "Ho Giao has dedicated his whole life to developing Vietnam’s ranches. Regardless his old age, he always did his best in whatever jobs he took."
At the age of 80, when he could not work any longer, he had his children take him to Hanh Thuan buffalo farm every weekend to visit friends - Murrah buffalos.
Journalist Tran Dang of the newspaper Thanh Nien (Youth) talked about Ho Giao, "Ho Giao is best known for his hard work and dedication. He did everything with utmost responsibility. We can see a great devotion and love in whatever he did.
That explains why he was awarded the title Labor Hero twice by the state."