The carpenter's bold turn and the dream of clean cantaloupe.
From a skilled carpenter, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nhuong (born in 1966, Hamlet 4, Dong Loc Commune) boldly shifted his focus to high-tech agricultural production with a model of growing cantaloupe in greenhouses. Not only did he master the techniques and apply modern technology, but he also proactively grasped the market and built a stable output...
Boldly change direction.
Previously, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nhuong worked as a carpenter, possessing high skills and earning the trust of many customers, resulting in a fairly stable job. However, during a trip to Binh Thuan to install civil works, he witnessed how the local people developed their orchard economy with valuable fruit trees. From that experience, he began to think about a new direction for himself.
Driven by curiosity, he returned to the South, visiting famous fruit-growing regions to observe and learn about production techniques. After many trips, accumulating sufficient knowledge, he decided to return to his hometown and make a bold decision: He sold his carpentry workshop and invested all his savings, over 5.5 billion VND, in building a greenhouse model for growing cantaloupe.
On an area of nearly 5,000m², he built four enclosed greenhouses and also dedicated about 2,000m² to digging ponds to store irrigation water, ensuring a reliable water source during the dry season and combining it with fish farming to increase income. This systematic investment from the beginning has helped the model operate stably, minimizing risks from weather and pests.
During the implementation process, Mr. Nhuong clearly defined the direction as safe production, strictly controlling the cultivation process. The entire growth cycle of the melon plant, from planting to harvesting in about 75 days, is closely monitored and adjusted accordingly at each stage.
Instead of using pesticides, he focuses on soil improvement using microorganisms to enhance the natural resistance of crops. Production processes are organized systematically, ensuring stable plant growth and creating a foundation for improved productivity and product quality.
Given the short growing season of cantaloupe, he arranges production flexibly, planting 2-3 crops per year, gradually accumulating experience and perfecting the cultivation process to suit local conditions.
Applying technology and proactively managing the consumer market.
A highlight of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nhuong's model is the synchronized application of technical and technological advancements in production. The melon beds are arranged in an east-west direction to take advantage of natural sunlight. During cultivation, he strictly adheres to technical procedures such as pruning, topping, and leaving only one fruit per plant to ensure good ventilation and uniform fruit development.
Cantaloupes are grown in individual containers using a trellis system, creating favorable conditions for stable plant growth. Notably, he invested in an automated drip irrigation and fertilization system, incorporating humidity and temperature sensors that can be controlled via smartphone.
The system is set to water the plants 8-10 times a day, depending on the growth characteristics of the melon plants at each stage, ensuring that the plants always receive sufficient water and nutrients, while significantly saving labor. The irrigation water is sourced from the municipal water supply, helping to control the quality of the input.
Not only focusing on cultivation, Mr. Nhuong also invested in a specialized sweetness meter to check the quality of the melons right in the garden. This equipment helps accurately assess the ripeness and sugar content of each batch of melons, thereby adjusting the care regimen and harvesting time accordingly, ensuring a uniform, high-quality product.
Besides mastering the techniques, he pays special attention to market factors. He proactively calculates the planting season, arranging the melon crops so that the harvest coincides with periods of high demand such as holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and the full moon festival… in order to increase the value of the product. According to Mr. Nhuong, farming today requires not only technical skills but also market sensitivity. Producers need to understand the supply and demand patterns between regions to choose the appropriate planting time. When supply is limited, the product will be easier to sell and fetch a higher price.
Simultaneously, he effectively utilizes social media platforms like Facebook and Zalo to promote and sell his products directly. The entire production process is regularly updated, allowing consumers to easily track and trust the product. When the melons are ready for harvest, he posts information, receives orders, then packages and delivers them to customers.
Currently, his family's cantaloupe farming model yields approximately 20-24 tons of fruit annually, equivalent to 2-3 harvests. The average weight is 1.2-1.5 kg per fruit, with a selling price ranging from 35,000-45,000 VND/kg, generating an annual revenue of 800-900 million VND. To improve production efficiency, during the cold season, when cantaloupe yields are low, he flexibly switches to growing cucumbers and tomatoes in the greenhouse. This approach not only helps maintain income but also contributes to product diversification.
The model developed by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nhuong demonstrates that changing production mindsets, boldly applying technology, and proactively approaching the market are effective approaches in agriculture today. This is also a practical experience for farmers to learn from, gradually increasing product value and moving towards sustainable development.
