Nghe An farmers earn 200 million VND/ha from luffa fiber
Thanh Phuc•June 16, 2024 16:46
After 5 months of planting and caring, Nghe An farmers have now begun to harvest luffa for its fiber. Each crop, 1 hectare will yield about 200-220 million VND.
Starting from 2024, Thanh Tien Commune Farmers' Association (Thanh Chuong District) will deploy a model of growing luffa for fiber with a total area of luffa for fiber in the whole commune of 11,000m2.2Photo: Thanh PhucThe fiber-producing squash is a special variety, unlike the traditional squash that people often grow. The fiber-producing squash has large, long fruits, white fibers, and can withstand the harsh weather in Nghe An. Photo: Thanh PhucCurrently, in Thanh Tien commune, there are 4 different varieties of squash being planted on a pilot basis. Initial results show that these squash varieties are suitable for the climate and soil conditions, and produce large and abundant fruits. Photo: Thanh PhucLuffa is planted in January and February every year. After 2 months, young fruit can be harvested. "Young fruit must be pruned so that the tree can focus on growing large, long fiber-producing fruits. With its sweet, crunchy characteristics, young luffa is favored by the market and brings growers an additional income of 4-5 million VND/sao," said a household growing luffa for fiber in Thanh Tien commune. Photo: Thanh PhucFavorable weather, combined with strict adherence to care processes and techniques, the squash fruits are uniformly large, with some reaching 80-90cm in length. Photo: Thanh PhucUnlike commercial squash, squash for fiber is harvested when the fruit turns yellow, the stem starts to blacken, feels light when lifted, and the skin breaks when squeezed lightly. Photo: Thanh PhucAfter harvesting, the squash is smashed to break the outer shell, then soaked in water to separate the shell. Next, people shake the squash to remove the seeds, then soak it again in clean water to make the squash clean and white. Photo: Thanh PhucLoofah fibers are tied into bunches and dried in the sun. Photo: Thanh PhucIn strong sunlight, old squash will have white fibers, meeting quality standards. Photo: Thanh PhucLoofah fibers are purchased entirely by the associated company at prices ranging from 2,000 - 5,000 VND/fiber. Photo: Thanh PhucLoofahs are purchased to produce household and handicraft products exported to European countries: bath sponges, pot scrubbers, dishwashing sponges, shoe insoles, handbags, etc. Photo: Thanh PhucAfter the first harvest, people continue to take care of the squash so that it continues to bear fruit. Each squash crop is harvested 4-5 times, the harvest time lasts until October. On average, each crop, 1 hectare of squash, in addition to selling young fruits, people can collect 60,000-80,000 fibers, earning an income of about 200-220 million VND. In addition, squash peels are also used by people to make bio-fertilizer. Photo: Thanh PhucCurrently, the model of growing luffa for fiber is being tested in some localities in Thanh Chuong, Con Cuong and Vinh city. After that, the effectiveness will be evaluated and replicated on a large scale, adding more crops for localities to choose from to cope with climate change. Photo: Thanh PhucClip: Thanh Phuc
