Thanh Chuong farmers open new direction from growing squash for fiber

Thanh Phuc• March 4, 2024 11:00

(Baonghean.vn) - With support in seeds, "hand-holding instructions" from planting, caring to harvesting and having products purchased at committed prices, currently, the model of growing luffa for fiber is opening up a new direction in transforming the crop structure in Thanh Chuong.

In the 2023-2024 Winter-Spring crop, the Thanh Chuong District Farmers' Association will deploy a model of growing squash for fiber in the communes of Thanh Hoa, Thanh Tien, Thanh Chi, Thanh Khe, Thanh Duong with a total area of about 5 hectares. Photo: TP

In Thanh Tien commune, on an area that was previously ineffective in production, now 1 hectare has been converted to growing luffa for fiber. Photo: TP

Households participating in the model are accompanied by company staff in science and technology from planting to harvesting. At the same time, they are supported with materials such as: seeds, mulch, fertilizer, lime powder, trellis nets, pesticides and irrigation systems... Photo: TP

Mr. Duong Dac Thang - Chairman of Thanh Tien Commune Farmers' Association said: "After nearly 2 months of planting, the squash is now climbing the trellis, flowering and bearing fruit. In early February 2024, we will expand by another 10 sao." Photo: TP

Luffa grows well, is suitable for climate and soil conditions and has few pests and diseases. Photo: TP

Under the squash trellis, people intercrop vegetables: cabbage, lettuce, kohlrabi, various kinds of mustard greens or peanuts, corn... also bring in significant income. Thanks to that, farmers have both daily income and end-of-season income. Photo: TP

The suitable time to plant squash is around January and February every year. After 2 months, you can harvest young fruit. At this time, you have to prune the fruit so that the remaining fruit can grow bigger. After 5 months from planting, you can harvest the old fruit and take the fiber. The harvest time will last from 3 to 4 months, ending around November every year. Photo: TP

Loofah fibers are purchased to produce household products and exported to Japan, Korea, the US and some European countries. These are demanding markets, strict in testing for residual chemicals. Therefore, people must comply with clean, green production. Photo: CSCC

According to calculations, with a price of 2,000-4,000 VND/mung bean, each hectare of mung bean will bring in a profit of 100 million VND; all qualified mung beans will be purchased by the company. In addition, people can harvest and trim young mung beans to sell as food. Photo: CSCC

After the first year, households continue to use seeds and climbing frames to produce the next crops. Therefore, they save on production costs and increase profits. Photo: TP

Thanh Phuc