In a wasteland of Ha Tinh, people planted shallots which produced tiny bulbs, but unexpectedly they were successful.

From an abandoned, ineffective rice-growing land overgrown with weeds, after converting to growing shallots, farmers in Vuong Loc commune, Can Loc district (Ha Tinh province) have an income of 6.5 - 7 million VND/sao.

Clip: Ha Tinh farmers grow shallots on fallow land, earning many times more than other crops. Clip: PV

Land conversion efficiency

Previously, most of the rice fields in Dong Hue and Lang Lau villages of Vuong Loc commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh were abandoned and full of weeds. The reason was that the land was high, there was no proactive irrigation water, and at the end of the season, there were often storms, so when planting rice, it was just a matter of luck. Over time, some households were not interested in production and abandoned it.

Onion plants grown by farmers in Dong Hue village, Lang Lau village, Vuong Loc commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province on barren, inefficient land have brought high efficiency. Photo: PV

In 2021, the SIPA Ha Tinh Project (supporting Vietnam in implementing the Paris Agreement in Ha Tinh) in coordination with the Ha Tinh Agricultural Extension Center selected to implement a model of shallot production adapted to climate change in order to convert from inefficient production areas to rotation of shallots and legumes, people were very excited and started to implement.

Given the effectiveness, in addition to the area of ​​chives grown in the fields, people also produce chives in their home gardens. Up to now, Vuong Loc is one of the localities with a large area of ​​chives grown in Can Loc district, estimated at over 50 hectares.

The area of ​​chives cultivation in Vuong Loc commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province is being expanded because of the high economic efficiency it brings to farmers. Photo: PV

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, residing in Dong Hue village, said: "The sandy area here is very suitable for growing chives. For the plants to grow well, people have to put in a lot of effort in preparing the soil, fertilizing, especially the harvesting process which requires hard work, diligence and perseverance. After digging up the bulbs, people sift the soil and clean the chives right at the foot of the field.

Planted according to technical requirements and produced in an organic manner, onions produce many large, bright bulbs, with an estimated yield of about 3-4 quintals/sao (1 Central region sao = ^500m2 ).

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, residing in Dong Hue village, this land used to grow rice with low productivity, but when switching to growing bamboo, the results were obvious. Photo: PV

The selling price ranges from 30,000 - 45,000 VND/kg (depending on the time), growers earn about 6 - 8 million VND/sao. In addition to growing chives, people also rotate legumes, so not only do they increase income but they also improve the soil. This is truly an effective conversion direction for this land.

Economic efficiency is 2-3 times higher than other crops

Shallots have been confirmed as a key crop that brings higher economic efficiency than many other crops, but the output is not stable, making people somewhat worried.

Mr. Ton Sinh (one of the pioneer households in converting to growing chives in Lang Lau village, Vuong Loc commune) said: "Growing chives for many years, I and other people have often encountered the situation of "good harvest, low price". Therefore, we still choose chives as the main crop, compared to other crops such as corn, peanuts, beans... chives still have 2-3 times higher economic value".

According to Mr. Ton Sinh, in Lang Lau village, Vuong Loc commune, the onion plant is easy to grow, easy to care for, and has a good price, so people are very excited. Photo: PV

"This season, my family planted 3 sao of onions, which are currently being harvested. On average, we harvest about 25 - 30 kg per day. This year, the onion yield is high, with each sao yielding more than 400 kg on average, while in previous years we only harvested about 300 kg. After deducting expenses, my family expects to earn about 25 million VND," added Mr. Ton Sinh.

According to many households, this year the weather is favorable, the yield of shallots is high, estimated at 4-5 quintals/sao, 1-1.5 quintals/sao higher than last year. However, shallot growers are still "less happy" because the purchase price at the field is only 30,000 - 33,000 VND/kg, while in the same period last year it fluctuated from 45,000 - 60,000 VND/kg.

Farmers in Vuong Loc commune, Can Loc are gathering in the fields to harvest shallots. Photo: PV

This year's shallot crop is bountiful and the price is good. Photo: PV

The sandy area of ​​Vuong Loc commune is very suitable for growing shallots. For the shallots to grow well, people have to put in a lot of effort in tilling the soil, fertilizing, especially the harvesting process which requires meticulousness, diligence and hard work. After "digging" the bulbs, people sift the soil and clean the shallots right at the foot of the field.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuan, residing in Dong Hue village, shared: "Normally, traders will call to order 1-2 days in advance, we take advantage of the opportunity to go to the fields to harvest, then screen and clean them to deliver on time. Although the price is not as good as previous years, we still stick to the fields to harvest, do not leave onions in the fields for too long, they will spoil, the quality will decrease and it will be harder to sell."

Shallots, scientifically known as Allium Odorum L, or also known as chives, are small bulbs of the onion family. Photo: PV

Currently, more than 2/3 of the area of ​​chives has been harvested by people. After the harvest, people also started to prepare the land to sow beans, corn, sweet potatoes... to rotate crops, increasing income value per unit area.

Building brands, connecting consumption for people

Shallots are a crop suitable for sandy loam soil and the climatic conditions of Vuong Loc. The conversion to shallot cultivation from abandoned land areas is not only a new direction, increasing income and improving life but also helps improve soil quality through sustainable farming methods. This is also a direction for sustainable agricultural development, making the most of local potential.

The roots and leaves of chives are cleaned by the people before being sold to traders. Photo: PV

Speaking to Dan Viet reporter, Mr. Dao Sy Duong - Chairman of Vuong Loc Commune People's Committee, said: "The whole commune currently has about 600 households growing chives, with a total area estimated at about 50 hectares, concentrated in the villages: Lang Lau, Dong Hue... This year, the price of chives is lower due to consumption demand and fluctuations in market prices. However, compared to other crops such as rice, peanuts... growing chives still brings several times higher income".

" To increase the value of shallot products, the local government is orienting the development of production of this tuber to meet OCOP standards in the coming time. In addition, to introduce and promote shallot products produced in an organic direction, the commune has connected with consumption units in Hanoi, to help farmers expand the market and increase income, " said Mr. Dao Sy Duong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Vuong Loc commune .

Source: https://danviet.vn/dat-hoang-hoa-o-mot-xa-cua-ha-tinh-dan-ben-trong-hanh-tam-ra-ra-ra-cu-be-tin-hin-ai-ngo-lai-trung-20250324103447081.htm