Growing shallots brings 11 times more income than growing rice

(Baonghean.vn) - Shallots in Nghi Lam (Nghi Loc) have become famous because this crop generates an income of over 300 million VND/ha. Currently, people are harvesting 55 hectares of spring shallots with an estimated income of over 20 billion VND.

Nghi Lam farmers harvest spring onions.

These days, Ms. Tran Thi Linh's family in Hamlet 4, Nghi Lam Commune, is concentrating all their manpower in the fields to harvest shallots. She said: This land used to be frequently dry, rice cultivation was ineffective, so this year her family switched to growing shallots. After a few days of harvesting, it is estimated that 1 sao of shallots can yield 800 kg.

According to the current price, 1 kg of shallots costs from 27,000 to 33,000 VND. After deducting expenses, her family earns nearly 26 million VND from 1 sao of shallots. Compared to previous rice cultivation, the family's 1 sao of shallots has an economic value 11 times higher than rice cultivation.

Ms. Linh excitedly said: “We are very happy because the locality has encouraged farmers to change their crop structure appropriately, so their income has increased. My family plans to convert all 3 sao of highland land to grow chives and other high-value crops next year.”

Each sao of shallots is expected to yield 800 kg of bulbs, selling pricefrom 27-33 thousand dong

Shallots are easy to grow, have few pests and diseases, are drought-resistant, and are especially suitable for high-altitude soils like this region. The crop season begins in August every year, and farmers start sowing and harvesting in March of the following year.

Growing chives involves many steps such as plowing the soil, cleaning the grass, and making high beds. After sowing the seeds, cover them with a layer of straw or dry pine needles to keep the plants moist and grow and create loose soil for large, bright bulbs. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu, an agricultural extension worker in Hamlet 5, Nghi Lam Commune, said: “Although the weather is not favorable this year, people in our hamlet still grow 8 hectares of chives. People have mastered the techniques and regularly visit the fields to check, so the yield is higher than last year.”

Shallots can be intercropped with other crops.

Previously, chives were only grown by a few households living on the hillside for their own use. However, in recent years, chives have become a high-value commodity crop with stable output, so Nghi Lam people have expanded the area to 55 hectares.

At this time after harvest, 1 hectare of shallots brings in over 300 million VND in revenue. Thus, after deducting production costs, 55 hectares of shallots in the winter-spring crop in Nghi Lam still earn a profit of nearly 17 billion VND.

What is very exciting is that when the onion harvest season comes, traders come to the fields to buy, making it convenient for people to consume the product.

Shallots are a familiar product in all markets in Nghe An and the North Central provinces.

Mr. Tran Van Binh - Vice Chairman of Nghi Lam Commune People's Committee added: "This year, we are very excited to see people expanding the cultivation of chives, which has a good harvest and good prices. This is a good sign for the commune in increasing people's income. We will also research and coordinate with businesses to create a sustainable brand for the product."

Thu Hien

Nghi Loc Station