Developing high-tech melons in Dak Nong

The model of growing melons in greenhouses using high technology not only brings high economic efficiency but also contributes to changing the thinking, habits and farming practices of farmers, from traditional agricultural production to clean agricultural production associated with market demand.

The model of growing melons in greenhouses at Hoa Sen Agricultural Production and Purchasing Cooperative (HTX), one of the first high-tech agricultural models in Nghia Duc ward, Gia Nghia city, initially brought about economic efficiency with productivity and quality surpassing conventional production, aiming to gradually change the way of thinking and working of members as well as farmers in the city.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Sen, Director of the Cooperative, said that in 2019, she returned to Da Lat to visit acquaintances and was introduced to the model of growing melons in greenhouses for high economic efficiency by friends. She thought of an idea that could be applied to local farming, so she researched the techniques and processes of growing melons. She also went to the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center for advice. Here, she was advised by technical staff and introduced to the model of growing melons in greenhouses implemented by the center. At the same time, she spent time visiting the model at Mr. Nguyen The Do's household, Dak Son village, Dak Gan commune, Dak Mil district to learn practical experience.

After mastering the technique, she started building a 1,500 m2 ^greenhouse and planted nearly 4,500 melon plants/crop. Each plant is planted separately in FE bags with treated coconut fiber substrate. To ensure the melon plants grow evenly, she uses a modern automatic drip irrigation system using Israeli technology to schedule water and fertilizer supply. Depending on the growth and development stage of the plant, the number of watering times is also different, the seedling stage is watered 3-4 times/day, the flowering and fruiting stage is watered 5-6 times/day, each watering only lasts 3-5 minutes. This method helps the plant absorb nutrients well, meeting each stage of the plant's growth. When the melon flowers, bees must be allowed to pollinate. When the plant bears fruit, each plant only retains the most beautiful fruit to grow until harvest. To help the plants focus their nutrition on growing fruit and preventing diseases, regularly prune leaves and branches to create ventilation for the garden. To prevent diseases and ensure product safety, she only uses organic biological fertilizers and self-fermented fish protein to fertilize the melon garden.

Each melon crop lasts from 65 to 70 days; each melon weighs from 1.2 to 2.0 kg when harvested. The melon is sweet, fragrant, crunchy, and has a Brix level of 14 to 15%. Melons produced in greenhouses can be grown 3 to 4 times a year. Thanks to proper care and a guaranteed greenhouse system, the melons grow and develop quite well, with a harvest yield of about 3 tons/crop/1,000m2 ^of greenhouse.

Currently, melon products are being sold at an average price of 35,000 VND/kg, after deducting costs, the profit is about 50 million VND/crop (over 150 million VND/year). Currently, the cooperative has 7 members participating with nearly 20,000 ^m2 of greenhouses, but households take turns harvesting so that the cooperative always has melons to supply to consumers in and outside the province. Ms. Sen's family alone has developed a 4,000 ^m2 greenhouse and is boldly converting to introduce quality melon varieties for experimental planting such as Hoang Kim melon, Huynh Long melon, ... which has initially brought high efficiency.

Huynh Long 45-day melon garden of Ms. Ngoc Sen's family

According to Mr. Le Minh Hai, a member of the cooperative, growing melons requires a lot of technical care and high investment costs. However, the profits are quite attractive, so farmers are bold in developing the model. One of the advantages of this model is that it helps save irrigation water, requires less labor, and can be grown year-round without fear of rain or adverse weather factors. The greenhouse helps shield against rain and prevent insects from entering, so the melons grow quickly, have beautiful mesh patterns, and are of uniform size. In the process of cultivating melons, the use of pesticides is limited, so the product ensures quality and safety, protecting the health of both growers and consumers. He added that when participating in a cooperative, members have the opportunity to support and exchange experiences, farming techniques, fertilizers, seedlings, agricultural output, etc. In addition, specialized agencies and local authorities also support technical training, organize tours and learn from the experiences and methods of cooperative operations in other localities, etc.

Meanwhile, Ms. Bui Thi Khanh Hoa in Dak Nia commune has implemented the "Agricultural tourism" model with an area of over 2,000 ^m2 of greenhouses growing melons. Since the beginning of the year, her melon garden has been an address for tourism businesses, students from inside and outside the province to come and study, experience the production process and enjoy some varieties of melons and strawberries. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for her to promote products produced in the garden. The combination of agricultural development and tourism has created unique features for local tourism and brought many times more income to farmers than simply agricultural production.

The application of science and technology in production, compliance with the process, strict control from the stage of selecting seeds, planting, caring until the melon is harvested, the model of growing melons in greenhouses, applying drip irrigation technology of Hoa Sen Cooperative has opened up a promising direction in agricultural production in the locality. This is also an opportunity for farmers to learn from experience, access advanced technology to create clean products, safe for consumers' health and is a direction for sustainable development, Gia Nghia city encourages the model to be replicated in the coming time.

Source