Nghe An farmers earn nearly 200 million VND/ha from early-season squash
(Baonghean.vn) - Never before have farmers in Nghia Dan district been so excited about harvesting squash as they are now, because not only is the harvest bountiful, but the selling price is also four times higher than the previous crop.
Mr. Nguyen Doan Quan's family in Bac Lam hamlet, Nghia Lam commune (Nghia Dan) grows pumpkins every year, but according to him, this year is one of the years with the best harvest and price; he is currently harvesting 3 sao of pumpkin, selling it for 12,000 VND/kg; while last year, he sold it for 2,000 VND/kg and still had no buyers.
Mr. Quan added that this year, right from the beginning of the season, traders called to place orders. At the beginning of the season, the price of squash was 15,000 VND/kg, now it is 12,000 VND/kg. The price of squash is high, so traders do not choose much but buy at the same price, so farmers do not have to sell many types at different prices. This year, the weather is favorable, so taking care of squash plants is easier, each sao is expected to yield 3 tons.
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Each hectare of squash yields over 20 tons of fruit. Photo: Dinh Thuy |
Nghia Lam commune grows 70 hectares of squash, currently about 40 hectares are being harvested. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong in Bac Lam hamlet, squash cultivation requires regular watering, a lot of manure and a small amount of chemical fertilizer. Each squash season lasts 3 months, with 3-5 harvests. If the crop is good and the price is good as it is now, after deducting expenses, each hectare of farmers will earn nearly 200 million VND in revenue.
According to Mr. Le Trung Kien - Vice Chairman of Nghia Lam Commune People's Committee, farmers do not plant pumpkins en masse but spread them out. If a family has 1 hectare of land, half of it is currently being harvested, the remaining area will be harvested in about 20 days to 1 month, so traders will not force down prices.
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Nghia Dan green squash is mainly consumed in the northern provinces; currently traders buy it for 12,000 VND/kg. Photo: Dinh Thuy |
Mr. Nguyen Van Bac, a pumpkin buyer, said that at this time, pumpkins are selling well and are easy to sell. He has to wait in pumpkin fields to buy a full truck. Usually, people harvest a crop every 3-5 days, so he has to call to order in advance. This year, the price of pumpkins is high because other vegetables and tubers are scarce; moreover, pumpkins in Nghia Dan are more delicious because of the soil quality and farmers often choose varieties with dense flesh.