Nghe An farmers rent land in Thanh Hoa to grow watermelon with high income

The family of Mr. Vo The Hung, Doan Bac hamlet, Nghia Son commune, has rented land in Xuan Hoa commune, Nhu Xuan (Thanh Hoa) for 11 years to grow watermelon. According to him, in the past, his family also grew watermelons in Nghia Son, however, after implementing the industrial-scale concentrated dairy farming project on Nghia Son land, his family no longer had land for production, so they had to rent land in Thanh Hoa to grow watermelons.

Compared to the 2019 rental price of about 10 million VND/ha for 3 months, in 2020 the land rental price doubled, but Mr. Hung's family still rented because the melon tree still has high economic value, with an area of ​​2ha, deducting expenses for income of 300 million VND in 2019.

Farmers in Nghia Dan rent land to grow melons in Thanh Hoa. Photo: Duc Anh

Mr. Hung added: Growing melons here has suitable soil and climate, so the melons are delicious. It is also convenient here, so it is easy for traders to buy.Melon plants also give higher income than other crops..Currently, some households have started planting, and will plant en masse in March.

The agricultural land area is quite small, so in Nghia Son commune, there are nearly 40 farming households renting land with an area of ​​about 70 hectares in different areas of Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa to grow spring-summer watermelon.

To help farmers promote economic efficiency, the Commune Farmers' Association guides farmers on varieties, applying science and technology from land preparation to harvesting. In particular, watermelon is a difficult plant that requires farmers to take careful care and monitor the development of pests and diseases to achieve high economic efficiency.

People also cover the melons with plastic for high efficiency. Photo: Viet Hung

Mr. Tran Quoc Hong - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Nghia Son Commune said: We also encourage people to boldly rent land to grow melons. Because melons are short-term crops that bring in quite high income, when they leave their land, we see it as an opportunity to increase their income.

The Commune Farmers' Association also provided loans to farmers to grow melons and implemented a fertilizer program for farmers. From the beginning of the season, seminars were held, training in science and technology was held, and consultation on high-yield varieties was provided for farmers to choose from to increase the yield and quality of melons.