While the price of coffee and pepper has continued to fall, many farmers in Dak Nong province have boldly converted to other crops to gain more economic efficiency. Particularly, the model of planting melons in greenhouse has initially brought high profits to the Cooperative Group (THT)'s members in Dak R'lap district.

Startup of growing melons in greenhouse

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, living in Village 8, Kien Thanh Commune (Dak R'lap district) is the Head and also the first start-up of this model in THT. As an agricultural engineer, he has actively learnt experience from hi-tech application zones inside and outside the province. In 2018, his family decided to invest in two greenhouses on more than 2.500m2 of land for planting melons. The aisles were designed and the automatic irrigation systems, humidity and temperature measurement systems ...were equipped inside these greenhouses.

The melons inside the greenhouse

The selected varieties are of green skin with yellow flesh, about 70 days of harvesting time, 3-4 seasons/year. These seeds were grown at high survival rates by Mr. Tuan himself. The seedlings are nurtured in trays before being moved into the soil. He regularly monitors the growth of trees in order to adjust accordingly. Besides, he also helps melon flowers to be pollinated. About 3,000 to 3,200 melon trees were planted on 1.000m2 of land, each tree produces one fruit, weighing from 1 to 2.5 kg.

His greenhouse melons have become a clean and favored agricultural product. Mr. Tuan said, in 2018, his family planted 3 seasons and harvested more than 4 tons/1.000m2. With the wholesale price from 36,000 VND/kg averagely, he earned more than 200 million VND/1.000m2.

Economic benefits from dripping irrigation system

According to Mr. Tuan, melon is a short-term, nutrients-rich fruit, currently favored by both domestic and foreign markets. Planting melons in greenhouse is the efficient way to minimize the attack from pests and diseases without pesticides. With temperature measuring, misting equipment and dripping irrigation system…, this model helps reduce labor and production costs.

Melon harvesting after 3 months

Boldly connect to create product output

After learning about Mr. Tuan' model of planting melon, some local households have converted their inefficient crops to planting melons. He showed his willingness in transferring science and technology, helping farmers to build standard greenhouses... in accordance to each household's conditions.

Melon harvesting after 3 months

At the end of 2019, Mr. Tran Van Phan 's family in Village 5, Kien Thanh Commune (Dak R'lap district) converted 1,000 m2 of old, low-efficiency coffee land to a model of planting melons in greenhouse. Initially, his family was instructed to make greenhouses and sow the first melon crop with a total cost of 300 million VND. This model brought him much more benefits. Estimatedly, the cost of seeds, irrigation, and fertilizer... was around 30 million VND/ 1,000m2 /crop.

After 3 months of planting, Mr. Phan's melon garden gave high yield with about 5 tons of the first crop's total output. Melons were mainly sold on Tet holiday with an average price from 35,000 to 40,000 VND/kg, bringing him a profit of 150 million VND. After harvesting, his family proceeded to clean and fertilized the soil for the next crop during 20 to 30 days from the previous one

THT members were happy while tasting delicious melons in harvesting time.

Grasping the demand of markets and the farmers' desire, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan did not hesitate to link up and set up THT Cooperative Group for melon planting. Currently, the Group has 7 members, mainly in Kien Thanh, Nghia Thang communes in Kien Duc town (Dak R'lap district). In 2018, the members' total area of planting melon was 9,000m2.
Right from seeding period, the members sign supplying contracts with traders inside and outside the province, thus, ensuring stable output price. During production process, THT members often exchange experience and help each other, contributing to reducing production costs and increasing profits.
Mr. Lu Chi Nho, trader in Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the key melon purchasers in the Central and Central Highlands. He regularly signs contracts with THT members within the first month of melon crops. The price is decided at 32,000 - 38,000 VND/kg depending on the type and season. He purchases melons all year round and distributes them at shops and wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City...

Traders collected and packed melons on the farm

Up to now, the THT members have succeeded in planting this model. After deducting expenses, the average income for THT members reaches over 100 million VND/crop/1,000m2.
According to Mr. Tuan, in 2020, THT is expected to expand melon planting area to 15,000m2, with more varieties from Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Korea, China, Russia... In addition, THT member will conduct additional research on new greenhouse plant varieties to meet market demands and bring more economic efficiency. It is also necessary for them to take into account the transformation and diversification of other vegetables and fruits to ensure sustainability in production.

Source: Dak Nong Online

Đào Phương Hiền