Farmers in Tan Ky are delighted because the early-season cantaloupe crop is bountiful and fetches good prices.

Spring melon harvest in Nghia Dong commune (Tan Ky district) is bountiful. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Phan Tri Cuong, residing in Hamlet 2, Nghia Dong Commune (Tan Ky District), is happily harvesting cantaloupes and shared: "My family planted 2 hectares of cantaloupes. After nearly 3 months of care, the melons are now ready for harvest. It is estimated that each plot of land yields 10 quintals (1000 square meters). With the current average selling price of 15,000 VND/kg, my family will earn 15 million VND. After deducting expenses, the net profit is 10 million VND per plot." The market for cantaloupes at the beginning of the season is booming.The situation is quite stable, with traders from the northern provinces.We go directly to the location to purchase the goods.

Nguyen Dinh, also from Hamlet 2, Nghia Dong Commune, who grows 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of cantaloupe, said:Cantaloupe is a short-season crop, easy to grow, well-suited to the local soil, and yields significantly higher profits than other vegetable crops. The average yield is 8-10 quintals per sao (approximately 1000 square meters), and with good care, it can reach 12 quintals per sao.Compared to rice farming, melon cultivation yields 4-5 times more income.

Farmers in Nghia Dong commune are busy harvesting cantaloupes. Photo: Van Truong.

According to a representative from the Nghia Dong Commune People's Committee: The entire commune has over 5 hectares of cantaloupe planted on land previously used for less productive rice and other crops. To ensure a favorable market for the produce, the commune has instructed farmers to plant in multiple batches. After harvesting this early spring crop, farmers will continue planting another summer crop.

Cantaloupes are grown with minimal use of chemical fertilizers; farmers mainly use manure and bio-fertilizers, ensuring safety and producing delicious, high-quality melons.CantaloupeAs it is a crop with high economic value, Nghia Dong commune currently plans to convert some areas of low-yield crops to growing cantaloupe and other crops.

In Nghia Dong commune, some melons weigh nearly half a kilogram. Photo: Van Truong

Ms. Dang Thi Van, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Tan Ky District, added: The entire Tan Ky district has approximately over 15 hectares of cantaloupe, concentrated in the communes of Tan Phu, Nghia Dong, and Nghia Thai. Although cantaloupe cultivation has higher economic value than rice cultivation, it also carries potential risks such as pests and diseases, and challenges in product distribution. Therefore, when expanding the area under cantaloupe cultivation, the district must carefully survey the land and soil types suitable for growing this crop, and especially provide training for farmers to apply scientific and technical advancements in safe cantaloupe cultivation.

Villagers in Nghia Dong commune load sacks of watermelons onto trucks to sell to traders. Photo: Van Truong

According to medical science, cantaloupe has a relatively high content of vitamins A, B, C and minerals such as magnesium and sodium. In particular, cantaloupe is high in sugar but contains no cholesterol, making it very good for health. Eating cantaloupe is especially beneficial for skin health, weight loss, and improving memory, cardiovascular health, and blood pressure.