Joy in the early green pumpkin fields in Anh Son

Realizing that local soil and climate conditions are suitable for the growth and development characteristics ofzucchiniFor more than 3 years now, Mr. Nguyen Van Nga's family in village 4, Phuc Son commune has boldly converted 12 acres of alluvial land to grow this type of tree.

According to Mr. Nga, squash is a short-term crop, easy to grow, only 90 days from planting to harvest and can be harvested 5 to 6 times, moreover it brings 3 times higher value than other crops.

In recent years, Mr. Nga's family has planted many batches of squash in overlapping seasons, to have a continuous harvest. This year, the family has planted a batch of early winter squash, and has now harvested the second batch, with a yield of 10 tons. Because the crop was planted early, the price is very high for traders, 20,000 VND/kg. If the price remains stable as it is now, on average, per sao until the harvest is complete, Mr. Nga's family will earn at least 15 million VND.

Mr. Nga shared: To help the squash grow well, his family covered it with plastic to limit water evaporation and weeds. Although the yield of squash planted earlier than the main crop is not as high as the main crop, the economic efficiency is many times higher. Currently, his family is expanding the winter squash area to 3.5 hectares to increase income.

For more than 3 years now, Mr. Nguyen Van Nga's family in village 4, Phuc Son commune has converted their alluvial land to grow squash. Photo: Thai Hien

Ms. Bui Thi Hang's family in village 4, Thach Son commune is currently harvesting early winter squash on their rice fields. Ms. Hang shared: The family has been planting squash for 5 years now. In previous years, they mainly planted the main crops, but this year the family borrowed more land from the villagers to plant squash on an area of ​​7 sao and boldly planted early, avoiding the main crop to get a high price.

According to Ms. Hang, her family started planting seeds in the 7th lunar month. Currently, her family's squash has begun to harvest the second crop. While the price of squash in the main crop sometimes dropped to 2,000-3,000 VND/kg, the price of squash is currently 5 times higher at 21,000 VND/kg. This second crop, her family will harvest 2 tons, bringing her family more than 40 million VND.

Mr. Tran Van Cuong - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Thach Son Commune said: Thach Son Commune has a long tradition of specialized vegetable production in Anh Son District. This winter crop, the whole commune has 15 hectares of vegetable growing area, concentrated in hamlets 1 and 4, of which about 5 hectares are planted with squash. Through the implementation period, the locality has determined that squash is still a short-term commodity crop with the highest income. In particular, this year, people have boldly planted squash earlier than the main crop.

What makes people excited is that the squash grown and harvested at this time has a very stable output, people harvest and transfer to 1-2 locations to wait for trucks to come and buy immediately. In order to achieve high results in winter crop production, in October 2021, the Farmers' Association of Thach Son commune established a professional farmers' association for growing clean vegetables. Over the past time, the group has been operating regularly to improve the knowledge of Farmers' Association members on science and technology, how to plant, fertilize, prevent diseases, and apply science and technology to squash production to bring high productivity, quality and economic efficiency. Thereby creating a close link in the process of consuming, introducing and promoting products, contributing to increasing income for people.

Planting squash earlier than the main crop, although the yield is not as high as the main crop, the economic efficiency is many times higher. Photo: Thai Hien

This winter crop, the entire Anh Son district planted 400 hectares of vegetables, squash and pumpkin. In recent years, farmers in some localities such as Cam Son, Thach Son, Phuc Son have planted squash in the off-season or earlier than the main crop. This is a quick change direction, regulating the supply of beneficial products and bringing clear economic efficiency to farmers.

Mr. Dang Dinh Luan - Head of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Anh Son district

Mr. Dang Dinh Luan added: Farmers have applied techniques to cultivation and invested in intensive farming according to the guidance of professional agencies, so output, design and quality have been increasingly improved.

The product of long squash, with dense flesh and few seeds, is favored by consumers and has traders coming to buy on-site. With the early winter crop areas now being harvested, according to farmers' calculations, the average yield of green squash is 40 tons/ha. The selling price depends on the time but still gives farmers an income of nearly 200 million VND/ha.

With a bumper crop of squash at a good price like today, it is a new way of doing business for Anh Son farmers, creating a driving force to promote the production of commodity crops associated with market factors.

Currently, Anh Son district is encouraging people to expand the area of ​​​​growing squash, making it a key crop that brings high income to people in the winter crop. Photo: Thai Hien

Thai Hien