Wandering the melon seasons
(Baonghean.vn) - They - farmers from Nghia Son commune (Nghia Dan) went to Bai Tranh, Xuan Hoa, Xuan Binh communes, Nhu Xuan district (Thanh Hoa) to rent land to grow melons. The melon seasons in exile were filled with hardships. But in return, thanks to melons, the economic lives of many Nghia Son people changed...
 |
| Watermelon, the fruit tree known as the “king of summer”, often prefers strange lands, so when the homeland lands are “too familiar”, they are forced to wander everywhere to find land to rent to grow melons. Initially, it was the communes in the district, then to Tan Ky area and in recent years to Nhu Xuan area (Thanh Hoa). In the photo: A 3ha melon hill of a Nghia Son household on the hilly land in Xuan Hoa commune (Nhu Xuan, Thanh Hoa). Photo: TP |
 |
| Starting in December, people from Nghia Son commune go to Thanh Hoa to rent land, build huts, grow seedlings, and plant seeds. Photo: KL |
 |
| During those 3 months, the melon growers have to stay right at the watchtower to take care of the melon plants. The life of “rice in a pot, water in a jar” for men like Le Van Hien has become familiar. This year, they rent land in this area, the next year they “wander” to another area. Every year, they spend 3 full months “in the fields” with so much hardship and suffering. Photo: TP |
 |
| But in return, the melons were in season, bringing him a good income, creating a foundation for him with a house and living facilities. He bought land to plant forests, opened a restaurant, and had capital to send his eldest son to work abroad. Photo: KL |
 |
| Mr. Nguyen Van Cong has 8 years of experience in renting land to grow melons in Xuan Hoa. This year, the three of them rented 3 hectares of land to grow melons. According to calculations, after deducting all expenses, the profit is about 200 million VND. Photo: TP |
 |
| During the harvest season, melon owners have to hire local people (also known as “Hoi be”) to pick and carry the melons. Photo: TP |
 |
| Melons grown in sandy soil have red flesh, lots of water, high sugar content and a distinctive aroma. Photo: KL |
 |
| Traders from everywhere come to the melon growing areas of Nghia Son people in Xuan Hoa, Xuan Binh, Bai Tranh (Nhu Xuan, Thanh Hoa) to buy. Photo: TP |
