With proven economic efficiency, the model of growing melons in Dien Tan Commune, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province gives people more choices in the conversion process.
With proven economic efficiency, the model of growing melons in Dien Tan Commune, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province gives people more choices in the conversion process.
Bringing technology to difficult lands
Dien Tan is a mountainous commune of Dien Khanh District, life people here is still difficult. Most of the agricultural area of the commune is hillside land, the most common crops are sugarcane and acacia. Some areas benefiting from the downstream of two water reservoirs Cay Sung and Lang Nhot are cultivated annually, mainly rice. But with about 2.6 million m3 in the total capacity of both reservoirs, in recent years, rice farming has encountered many difficulties due to drought and lack of water. Sugarcane and acacia, under current conditions, are not rich crops.
When natural conditions and weather are unfavorable, the need to convert crops here becomes urgent. At the end of 2019, the Sub-Department of Planting and Plant Protection of the province has brought here a model of safe melon cultivation in net house.
In the model, the melons were planted in double rows with a density of 1.4m, a tree 40cm from the tree. With 1,000m2, 2,500 trees were planted. After planting for 7 - 10 days, strings of plants were hung. In the flowering stage, pollination by bees or manual pollination for melon. Once fruiting was proceeded. Each tree was kept only 1-2 fruits. When the fruits have a diameter of 2 to 4 cm, only 1 fruit was kept on each tree. The whole process of planting, tending, pollinating, taking care of fruits and harvest lasted from 70 to 75 days. The method of harvesting was picking fruits, removing trees, treating soil, cleaning net houses for the next planting season.
The results of the model showed that for the melons with only one fruit on each treet weighed 1.5 kg on average, purchased VND 45,000/kg by traders at the garden. After deducting expenses for seeds and fertilizers, pesticides and labor costs with more than VND62 million/crop, 1,000m2 of melon gave an income of over VND50 million/crop.
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Support needed
According to Nguyen Ngoc Anh – an officer of Horticulture and Plant Protection Sub-Department, the model results show that the melon grows well, suitable to weather conditions and agro-biological characteristics of the variety. Dozens of neighboring households has cpme to learn and study a new model directly in the garden. The quality of the melon is assessed as delicious, beautiful and safe because it is grown in net houses, limiting the use of pesticides. In addition, the model has also contributed to changing farmers' perceptions, thinking and ways of applying scientific and technical advances in production to enhance economic value towards sustainability.
After 75 days of cultivating on an area of only 1,000m2, it is possible to earn up to VND50 million, which is a desirable number for many farmers, especially in difficult areas such as Dien Tan commune. However, to achieve these figures, many issues need to be improved. Besides the efforts of the people, they need the support and investment from the State. Because, firstly, melon does not need too much water, but it needs constant water in the form of drips. The two reservoirs mentioned above is exhausted every dry season. It doesn’t ensure that melons can be grown year-round in this area. Therefore, the deployment of the model must be carried out in areas where proactive irrigation water can be made all year-round. Secondly, according to Ms. Phan Thi Ngoc Thao - Chairwoman of Dien Tan Commune Farmers’ Association, it is difficult for people to access the model due to the high cost of investment. According to calculations, modern net houses need to invest about VND1.2 - 1.5 billion, or cost VND200 - 300 million for 1,000 m2 simple net house with Use bamboo poles. This is too much for the majority of Dien Tan residents. Some households said that they could invest but were concerned about outputs. If businesses can buy in the form of long-term contracts, many farmers may invest in it.
Cong Dinh
Translated by T.T
