Con Cuong: American-style melons exported thanks to VietGAP certification.

(Baonghean.vn) -After a three-month trial planting at the Chi Khe Commune Agricultural and Seedling Cooperative (Con Cuong district), nearly 5,000 American melon plants have begun to yield fruit, with the produce being sold mainly in the Hanoi market.

This is the first high-tech agricultural model implemented in the mountainous district of Con Cuong, under the district's VietGAP-oriented commercial vegetable farming project for the period 2016-2020.

The model of growing American melons in greenhouses according to VietGAP standards is being implemented in Chi Khe commune. Photo: Minh Hanh

The Chi Khe Commune Agricultural Cooperative was selected to implement a model of growing melons in greenhouses according to VietGAP standards. To implement this model, the cooperative received 85% of the funding from the district to build the greenhouse system, lighting, and automatic drip irrigation system, totaling over 1 billion VND. The cooperative invested 50 million VND to purchase American melon seeds and conducted trial plantings using two techniques: planting in coconut husk mixed with fertilizer and planting in the ground.

On the afternoon of August 10th, leaders of the Con Cuong District Party Committee and People's Committee visited the Chi Khe Agricultural Cooperative to initially assess the feasibility of implementing the project to grow American melons in greenhouses according to VietGAP standards. The aim is to find a comprehensive development direction for the clean vegetable model in the three key areas of the locality.

Leaders of Con Cuong district inspect a farm growing American melons. Photo: Ba Hau.

After 3 months, the melon crop is developing well, with a 100% survival rate. It is estimated that this is the case for an area of ​​2,000 m².²4,800 melon plants yielded over 7 tons. Currently, the melons are ripe and the Chi Khe Commune Agricultural and Seedling Cooperative is wrapping them in nets and labeling them for sale in Hanoi. The melons are sold at the farm for 60,000 VND/kg.

The success of the greenhouse melon cultivation model at the Chi Khe Agricultural Cooperative opens up new prospects for the application of high technology in agricultural production in Con Cuong district. It contributes to creating high-quality agricultural products and helps people increase their income per unit area.

Minh Hanh - Ba Hau