Effectiveness of cucumber growing model on Xuan Lam rice fields

(Baonghean.vn) –Over the years,nactively change crop structure,increase land turnover coefficient, increase productivity per unit area,winter cropsin Xuan Lam commune (Nam Dan) hasbring high economic efficiency,in therecucumberconsidered one of the main plants...

Mr. Phan Dinh Nham - Chairman of Xuan Lam 2 Cooperative, said: Previously, the main crops grown in the winter were corn and sweet potatoes, but the income was low. In 2002, the Cooperative boldly coordinated with the District Agricultural Extension Station to build a clean cucumber growing model, with more than 20 households participating with an area of ​​1.5 hectares on 2-rice fields. Flat fields with proactive irrigation water were selected for production; along with that, the Cooperative supported people with 100% of the seed money, the Station organized training on planting techniques, care, and harvesting products... Right from the first crop, the households growing melons won big, 1 sao of melons yielded an average of 2 - 2.2 tons, net profit of about 1.5 million VND.

Winter cucumbers in Xuan Lam commune are becoming the main crop of the year.

Realizing the economic efficiency of the model, the Commune People's Committee organized a field workshop for people in the commune to learn and replicate; the commune cooperative continued to plan into a concentrated production area (mainly hamlets 16 and 17) and at the same time encouraged farmers to convert fertile fields, convenient for irrigation and transportation of goods to grow this crop. To reassure people in production, the cooperative management board continued to support seed prices for the next 2 years. From 2006 to now, every winter crop, Xuan Lam 2 Cooperative has stabilized the cucumber area of ​​6 - 7 hectares, mainly concentrated in Co Ho and Khen fields; providing a stable income 3 times higher than monoculture of rice on the same area. In addition, when growing melons on rice fields, it will help loosen the soil and reduce the amount of fertilizer when growing rice in the next crop.

The main variety is local cucumber.develop well, high economic efficiency. Farmers here have been very aware of building the brand of "clean cucumber". Pesticides are only used once, at the time when the plant begins to grow 3-4 leaves (about 20 days old), then start fertilizing with NPK and nitrogen fertilizer; during the care and harvest process, farmers only use water from pumps and irrigation canals...

With the excitement of last year's bumper winter crop,Mr. Phan Huu Kim (in hamlet 16) happily said: "Although cucumber is a winter crop, Xuan Lam people consider it a hunger-eliminating and poverty-reducing crop. Because this is a traditional crop, people have experience, so growing cucumbers is not as hard and requires less care than other crops. Last year, cucumbers were not only productive but also had good prices; the average yield was 2.2 tons/sao, the selling price at the field at the beginning of the season and at the end of the season was 4,500 - 5,000 VND/kg. If planted early and harvested early, the price could be from 6,000 VND/kg; with more than 1 sao of cucumbers, my family also earned 7 million VND.Every time the melon crop is harvested, there are traders who come to buy at the field or farmers just transport it from the garden to the three-way intersection of the village and there are buyers waiting.".

Growing cucumbers is quite simple and suitable on loose field soil;The initial investment is a bamboo trellis for cucumbers, which if well maintained can be used for 3 - 4 crops.Although the cost and care are not much, to achieve high productivity, it is necessary to comply with technical requirements. According to people's experience,You should choose fields with proactive irrigation conditions and keep water at 1/3 of the furrow, that's best;Just water with a sufficient amount of water, avoid waterlogging the roots which will cause root rot and kill the plant. Must prune leaves properly, and hoe promptly when the melon has climbing arms;The climbing melon must be tied to the trellis with a soft rope.to limit pestsChuThe production period of each crop is only 70 - 75 days, and harvesting begins 30 days after planting. Harvesting is done in several batches (on average every 2 days), depending on the planting area and each batch of fruit, and it takes 40 - 45 days for a crop to wither...

Realizing that this is an economically effective model and suitable for local conditions, the authorities of Xuan Lam commune have actively promoted and created conditions for people to expand their cucumber growing area, contributing to increasing income and improving life.

Although it is economically efficient, in order for cucumbers to grow sustainably, it is necessary to develop a specific production plan and provide technical guidance for farmers. On the other hand, it is also necessary to pay attention to the planning of concentrated production areas, with strict guidance, to avoid spontaneous and widespread production, causing supply to exceed demand, leading to difficulties in product consumption.

Ngoc Anh