Con Cuong farmers grow American melons in greenhouses for the first time

(Baonghean.vn) - Growing American melons in greenhouses, applying drip irrigation technology is the first high-tech agricultural model in Con Cuong.

Chi Khe Commune Seedling Agricultural Cooperative is a pioneer in implementing the project of producing commercial vegetables according to VietGap standards in Con Cuong district in the period of 2016-2020 with a model of growing melons in membranes using high technology.

To implement this model, the Cooperative has received 85% funding support from the district to build a system of greenhouses, lighting, temperature, and automatic drip water spraying system with a total cost of over 1 billion VND.

The American melon model is grown on an area of ​​2,000 square meters in Tien Thanh village, Chi Khe commune. Photo: Ba Hau

Initially, on an area of ​​2,000 m2, Chi Khe Commune Seedling Agricultural Cooperative invested 50 million VND to buy seeds to test growing American melon varieties according to two techniques of planting and caring for melons in coconut pulp pots mixed with fertilizer and planting techniques on soil.

All members of the cooperative are trained and instructed in production techniques in the field, how to prevent diseases, and how to quickly check for pesticide residues.

Each fruit weighs an average of 1.4 kg. Photo: Minh Hanh

Ms. Quang Thi Hang, a member of the Chi Khe Commune Seedling Cooperative, shared: "To implement the model of growing melons in greenhouses, we must follow a specific process. Each type of nutrient for the plant is carefully measured and mixed in a quantity appropriate to the plant's growth period.

All of these nutrients are then supplied to the melon garden through a drip irrigation system, leading directly to the active root zone.”

Thanks to the care process and the guaranteed greenhouse system, the melon plants grow well. After 3 months of planting, the first harvest is now about to begin. On average, each melon weighs 1.4 kg.

According to estimates, with over 2000 m2, the first crop of melons will yield nearly 7 tons. With an average selling price at the garden of 40,000 VND/kg, the Chi Khe Commune Seedling Agricultural Cooperative will earn over 200 million VND in this crop.

There have been traders coming to inspect and ask to buy melons at the garden. Photo: Ba Hau

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Trung - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chi Khe Commune Seedling Agricultural Cooperative, Con Cuong said: "Do encountering rainy weather conditions and high humidityThe harvest time of the melons was later than expected. But so far the melons have shown positive signs and in about 5-6 days they will be wrapped in nets and labeled for sale. After about 2 days of harvest, the cooperative will continue to grow the melons to plant another crop."

Melons grown in greenhouses take about 3 months from planting to harvest. Photo: Minh Hanh

Although it has only just been implemented, the initial practical effectiveness of the high-tech melon growing model in greenhouses of Chi Khe Commune Seedling Agricultural Cooperative opens up prospects for applying high technology in agricultural production in Con Cuong.

The fact that farmers in mountainous districts like Con Cuong can produce safe vegetables that meet VietGap standards will help them feel more secure in consuming their products, limiting the situation of "good harvest, low price".

Minh Hanh - Ba Hau