Farmers in Anh Son are actively tending to green pumpkins for the Lunar New Year.
These days, people in the Lam River alluvial plain – the "capital" of green squash in Cam Son commune, Anh Son district – are actively tending to their plants to prepare for the upcoming Tet holiday.
Visiting the alluvial plains of the Lam River in Cam Son commune, one can see endless rows of green pumpkins stretching as far as the eye can see. Farmers across the fields are diligently tending to their pumpkin crops. Mr. Tran Van Ha from Cam Son commune said: "The soil and climate conditions of the alluvial plains are very suitable for the growth and development of green pumpkins."For over four years now, my family has boldly switched to growing this crop, and it has been very effective.
According to Mr. Ha, his family has currently planted 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of winter squash to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year). The squash has now climbed the trellises to a height of about 20-30 cm. From planting to harvesting, it only takes 90 days, yielding 4 to 5 harvests. The estimated yield is 1.5-2 tons per sao, and with a price of 10,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, the family earns 10-12 million VND per sao.
High-quality green squash, with its firm flesh, few seeds, and ease of transportation, is favored by consumers, resulting in a very favorable market for this type of squash.
To ensure good growth of zucchini, farmers in alluvial plains often use bamboo or cylindrical stakes, spaced 1.5 meters apart, forming an A-shape more than 2 meters above the ground. The stakes are connected with netting with a mesh size of 20 x 20 cm for the zucchini to climb. For newly planted zucchini, plastic sheeting is used to reduce water evaporation and control weeds.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cam Son commune, said: Currently, the entire commune has over 60 hectares of green squash, all concentrated in the alluvial plains of the Lam River. The commune has identified green squash as the main short-term cash crop that yields the highest income, because it has many advantages such as a short growing season, ease of cultivation, and high yield; moreover, the techniques for growing green squash are not too complicated.
Over the years, most farmers have applied intensive farming techniques as guided by specialized agencies, resulting in improved yields, variety, and quality. Recent harvests of green squash in Cam Son commune show an average yield of 30-40 tons per hectare.
Prices vary depending on the time of year, but after deducting expenses, farmers can earn over 200 million VND per hectare. In particular, the Tet holiday market usually has a high demand for green squash, so prices are expected to increase, providing farmers with additional income.
Currently, the commune is developing green pumpkin production according to VietGAP standards, aiming to form a concentrated production area linked to production and product consumption, in order to meet market demand and thereby improve production efficiency for the people.
