Mong people in Que “win” the upland melon season

Upland melons are grown by Mong people in Pa Khom village, Tri Le commune (Que Phong) with rice and corn on their fields. Photo: Ba Chai

At this time, the Mong people in Tri Le commune are in the harvest season of upland melons. Tho Ba Ho's family in Pa Khom village is one of the households that grows the most upland melons in the village. On an area of ​​1 hectare, up to this point, Ho's family has harvested nearly 5 tons of melons. With the purchase price at the village level of 7,000 VND/kg, the family has earned over 30 million VND.

According to Mr. Ho, the Mong people preserve this native melon variety themselves. Upland melons are very easy to grow, and are sown by the Mong people and intercropped with rice from March to April every year. After 3 months, the melons can be harvested and the harvest period lasts for about 3 months.

Mr. Tho Ba Ho said: “Upland melons are easy to grow and sell. When the season comes, traders from the districts come to the village to buy them. Thanks to growing melons, my family has a good extra income, and we can afford to send our children to school.”

This type of upland melon has large, solid fruit, is crunchy, and is grown completely naturally. It sells well and is therefore purchased directly from the farm by traders. Photo: Ngoc Tang

The upland melon is large, solid, thick-fleshed, delicious, crunchy, and has a sweet, cool taste. Upland melon is popular because this variety of plant is grown naturally by the Mong people, intercropped with upland rice, without fertilizer, pesticides, or watering...

Melons are sold at an average price of 15 thousand VND/kg, at the beginning of the season, melons are sold at 20 thousand VND/kg.

Currently, the whole Pa Khom village has more than 15 households growing upland melons with more than 5 hectares; bringing in a good income.

The average market price of upland melon is 15,000 VND/kg, and at the beginning of the season, it is up to 20,000 VND/kg. Photo: Ba Chai

Mr. Lu Van Cuong - Vice Chairman of Tri Le Commune People's Committee said: "Currently, the whole commune has 7 hectares of upland melon intercropped with rice and corn, with an average yield of 5 tons/ha. Currently, the average income per household per year is from 25 to 30 million VND. The commune is supporting and encouraging people to preserve, grow and promote this native melon variety"./.