The countryside of Nghe An province earns a huge income from growing fragrant gourds.

The fragrant gourd grown in Hong Son commune has a distinct aroma compared to other gourd varieties. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Mr. Phan Dang Ba's family in Hamlet 9, Hong Son Commune, has been growing fragrant gourds for over 10 years. Currently, his family cultivates more than 1 sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of gourds. The gourds are planted in March and harvested after nearly two months. Mr. Ba harvests the gourds every two days, yielding about 60 kg each time, sometimes up to 80 kg; with a wholesale price of 5,000 VND/kg at the market, he earns 300,000 VND per day.

One sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of loofah plants currently yields an income of about 22 million VND per crop. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Mr. Ba shared his experience in growing high-yield gourds: Before planting, apply a base fertilizer of well-rotted manure, about 60kg per plant; supplement with a balanced amount of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen fertilizers. Observe the leaf color to determine the appropriate fertilization; if the leaves are yellow and there are few shoots, add more nitrogen; if the leaves are bright and stiff, stop applying nitrogen. When the plant produces few fruits, increase the amount of potassium to encourage fruit production.

Each plot of land is planted with only about 90 trees, with rows spaced 3m apart and trees spaced 2.5m apart within each row. On hot days, a water pump must be ready to irrigate promptly.

The fragrant gourds grown in Hong Son benefit from the hilly soil, which gives the gourds their distinctive aroma and delicious taste.

The people growing loofah here don't need to spray any pesticides because the fragrant loofah has a thick skin and grows very quickly; when the fruit is the size of a little finger, it can be harvested in just 5 days.

Currently, in Hamlet 9, Hong Son Commune, there are dozens of households growing loofah, with a total area of ​​6 hectares. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Fragrant gourds can be harvested continuously for 5 months, with 2.5 months of regular harvesting. Each plot of land planted with fragrant gourds yields approximately 22 million VND throughout the harvest season; it is estimated that with 1 hectare, farmers can earn 450 million VND.

Currently, in Hamlet 9, Hong Son Commune, there are dozens of households growing loofah, with a total area of ​​6 hectares.

Over the years, farmers have not expanded their planting area indiscriminately, but instead adjusted their practices based on export demand; the main goal being to maintain prices and prevent them from falling to low levels.

Besides the area planted with fragrant gourds, the entire hamlet has 40 households growing bitter gourds, with many families harvesting nearly 100 kg of bitter gourds each day, selling them at 6,000 VND/kg at the farm.To prevent bitter gourd plants from being damaged by pests and diseases, people use a simple method: they put biological bait in a plastic bottle to lure sap-sucking insects that damage the fruit.

Besides growing fragrant gourds, people in Hong Son commune also grow bitter gourds out of season and use biological bait to lure insects into bottles. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

According to Mr. Phan Dang Son, head of Hamlet 9, Hong Son Commune, local people have many years of experience in growing loofah. Those with experience and effective production methods often share them with other households. As a result, all loofah-growing households have achieved high incomes.

Gourds are considered a "specialty" of Hong Son mountainous commune. Growing fragrant gourds and bitter gourds is an effective production method that increases income for the local people.