Watermelons covered with plastic sheeting yield a profit of 10 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters).

(Baonghean.vn) - Across the fields of Nghi Loc, farmers are in the midst of harvesting watermelons; currently, 100 hectares of watermelons covered with plastic sheeting are being bought by traders from northern provinces at high prices.

Across the fields, the radiant smiles of farmers can be seen because watermelons are selling at a good price this year. From early morning, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong from Hamlet 13, Nghi Long Commune (Nghi Loc District) has been out in the field harvesting watermelons to sell to traders.

"This year, I covered all 4 acres of watermelon plants with plastic sheeting. The soil is more moist, allowing the plants to absorb more nutrients. As a result, the watermelons are large and sweet, making them very popular. Currently, watermelons are selling for 6,500 VND/kg at the farm, about 2,000 VND/kg higher than last year's summer-autumn crop. With 4 acres of watermelons grown over 2 months, my family earned 40 million VND, many times more than other crops," Mr. Cuong shared.

Nguyen Van Cuong's 4 sao (approximately 1,200 square meters) of watermelon plants, covered with plastic sheeting, are ready for harvest, with all the fruits being large and sweet. Photo: Thu Hien

According to watermelon growers in Nghi Long commune, watermelons typically sell for 5,000 VND/kg at the beginning of the season, dropping to 4,300 VND/kg during peak season. However, this year, even during the peak harvest season, the price at the farm gate remains at 6,500-7,000 VND/kg. Notably, this year, the number of traders coming to buy watermelons is higher than in previous years, including not only handcarts but also large trucks, coming from many provinces and cities in the North.

A trader named Dao said that Nghi Loc watermelons are not only supplied to markets within the province but are also taken to markets in Hanoi for sale. He believes the soil here is ideal for watermelon cultivation, resulting in sweet, fragrant, and delicious fruit that is popular in the market.

In Nghi Long commune (Nghi Loc district), an average of over 10 million VND is earned from one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of watermelon grown during the summer-autumn season. Photo: Thu Hien

Mr. Nguyen Tu Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Nghi Long Commune People's Committee, said: "This year, the local authorities directed watermelon production using the plastic mulch method, resulting in larger, sweeter watermelons; on average, farmers earn 10 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of watermelon. Currently, we are directing farmers to harvest and weed simultaneously to ensure staggered planting."

Watermelon is a crop that adapts well to fields with good drainage; the main watermelon growing areas are concentrated in the fertile communes of Nghi Long, Nghi Trung, Nghi Truong, Nghi Thinh, Nghi Hop, and Nghi Khanh. The time from planting to harvesting is about 2 months. This summer-autumn crop, the yield reached 32 tons/ha; with an average selling price of 6,500 VND/kg, Nghi Loc earned over 20 billion VND.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the Nghi Loc District People's Committee: "The district will continue to review and develop plans for growing vegetables and fruits with high economic efficiency in the agricultural areas of the communes. We will promote and replicate economically effective models following VietGAP standards; and focus on improving technical infrastructure to ensure intensive farming for the people, especially regarding drainage."

THu Hien