Farmers are excited because early harvest of shallots has sky-high prices.

(Baonghean.vn) - StillIt's more than 2 months until the onion harvest, but currently, many farmers in Nghia Trung commune (Nghia Dan) have chosen to harvest onions early.ìprice is 5-6 times higher than the main crop.

Many farmers have converted previously ineffective sugarcane and cassava growing areas to grow shallots. Photo: Minh Thai

Implementing the crop conversion project of Nghia Trung commune, recently, many households in hamlets 18, 19, 20, 21 have boldly stopped growing cassava and sugarcane and switched to growing chives.

Ms. Ha Thi Khuyen's family in hamlet 21 has 2.5 sao of land that used to grow sugarcane. In recent years, the family has switched to growing shallots. At this time, the shallot leaves are still green, and it will be more than 2 months before harvest, but with the purchase price at the field of 120,000 VND/kg, her family harvested early. According to Ms. Khuyen's calculations, after deducting expenses, the family still has a profit of 13-15 million VND/crop from 2 sao of land growing shallots.

Ms. Khuyen shared: "Previously, my family grew sugarcane, but the factory's purchase price was unstable, so we decided to grow chives. My family switched to growing chives, which is healthier and gives us a much higher income."

Ms. Ha Thi Khuyen (left) said that the current price of shallots is 5-6 times higher than the main crop. Photo: Minh Thai

Mr. Ha Van Thuong's family in hamlet 20 also has more than 2 sao of land growing onions. Although it is not yet harvest time, with the current onion price 5-6 times higher than the main crop, the family also harvested early to earn more income. "The family harvested early to earn more income. Not only did the price increase, the onion leaves also sold for 10,000 VND/kg" - Mr. Ha Van Thuong said excitedly.

Mr. Ha Van Thuong's family in hamlet 20 has more than 2 sao of land growing chives. In addition to selling the bulbs, the family also sells the leaves for 10,000 VND/kg. Photo: Minh Thai

With the advantage of being an easy-to-grow plant, with few pests and diseases, drought-resistant, and very suitable for gravelly soil, chive growers in Nghia Trung are very confident with this crop. The onion crop begins in the 6th lunar month and is harvested in the 2nd lunar month of the following year. The annual price of chives is only 40,000 VND/kg, and the average is 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg. Chives are purchased by traders and sold in major cities such as Vinh, Hanoi, and Saigon.

Farmers in Nghia Trung commune have a good harvest of shallots this year, with large and even bulbs. Photo: Minh Thai

Every year, Nghia Trung farmers grow more than 10 hectares of chives. Growing chives involves many steps such as plowing the land, cleaning the grass, and making high beds. After sowing the seeds, cover them with straw or dry pine needles to keep the moisture for the plants to grow and create loose soil for large and bright bulbs.In Nghia Trung commune, shallots have become a crop that helps eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. This year, with the high price of shallots, people here earn over 2 billion VND from shallots.

Mr. Nguyen Long An - Vice Chairman of Nghia Trung Commune People's Committee added: "Implementing the crop conversion project, the commune has mobilized union members to convert more than 50 hectares, including 10 hectares of shallots and 40 hectares of citrus trees. From shallot products, people can sell fresh bulbs or dried onions. It can be said that if the price is good, each hectare of shallots can earn from 200 to 250 million VND. Currently, the commune is continuing to expand the area and improve the quality to create a brand for shallot products. Since then, people's lives have gradually improved."

Minh Thai