Growing hydroponic melons using digital technology

BEN TRE Mr. Do Van Ro's hydroponic melon growing model in a greenhouse, applying digital technology, brings in a profit of 200 million VND per year on an area of ​​500m2.

Mr. Do Van Ro - a teacher at the Center for Vocational Education - Continuing Education in Cho Lach District, Ben Tre Province has 2 gardens growing melons. Having a master's degree in agricultural economics, he constantly searches for solutions to care for plants that are highly effective and save time.

In early 2023, Mr. Ro decided to invest in a greenhouse, tank system, and hydroponic pipes to start researching hydroponic melon growing.

Mr. Do Van Ro's digital technology-based melon growing model was recognized by the Ben Tre Provincial People's Committee as an effective initiative. Photo: Kieu Trang.

According to Mr. Ro, for melons to grow well, the provision of nutrients during cultivation must follow the principles, creating a living environment for the plant similar to the soil environment. The technique of managing and using nutrients is very important, if the fertilizer is not mixed according to the standard, it will cause precipitation and loss of nutrients.

To mix the fertilizers together accurately, Mr. Ro applied the hydroponic solution HydroBuddy v1.50 created by Spanish scientist Daniel Fernadez.

At first, the nutritional products created were not suitable for growing conditions in tropical climates. After a period of improvement and adjustment of fertilizer ratio, Mr. Ro successfully mixed a nutrient solution suitable for the climate and requirements of melon plants in the Southern region and Ben Tre province.

The application of digital technology has helped Mr. Ro easily monitor and adjust the growth of plants at each stage with just a smartphone with internet connection. Accordingly, the device will automatically convert the nutrient content (EC concentration), pH and temperature in the water into specific parameters.

Traders come to harvest Mr. Ro's melons. Photo: Kieu Trang.

In early 2024, Mr. Ro's melon growing model was recognized by the People's Committee of Ben Tre province as an effective initiative. With an area of ​​500m2 growing 1,500 melon trees, Mr. Ro earns a profit of about 200 million VND per year if the melon price is about 40,000 VND/kg.

In particular, since the beginning of the year, Mr. Ro has grown 2 crops of melons. Although the drought and salinity intrusion have been complicated, the productivity of the melon garden has not been affected. Melons are grown in a hydroponic environment, the amount of water is recycled and reused, limiting loss through the soil, saving 2 to 3 times more water than traditional methods.

Mr. Ro expressed that hydroponic melon cultivation brings high productivity and is able to adapt well to climate change. However, finding outlets for commercial melons is still difficult due to the small scale. Therefore, he wants to expand the production scale, is ready to transfer technology to farmers in need, thereby forming a production linkage area.

Mr. Nguyen Vo Nhat Duy, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Digital Transformation of the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector of Ben Tre province, assessed that the application of digital transformation to melon cultivation helps to control and accurately adjust the nutritional content, pH and temperature of water supplied to the plants. Thereby, reducing the cost of care and pesticides, creating high-quality, safe products.

The application of technology and digital techniques contributes to the effective transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. Photo: Kieu Trang.

In addition to the digital technology melon growing model, Ben Tre province has and will continue to support applied research programs, trial production, and technological processes to serve the development of high-tech agriculture.

At the same time, the locality has implemented research programs and technology transfer for production, preservation and processing of agricultural products for high-tech agricultural zones and key areas. From there, the output and quality of agricultural products have been gradually improved to meet market demand.

Up to now, the digital transformation tasks of Ben Tre province have achieved many positive results, contributing to the completion of the targets on digital government, digital economy, and digital society. However, to enhance the role and effectiveness of digital transformation, coordination of agencies and departments is needed. In particular, farmers must be ready to change their thinking and approach science and technology.

Source: https://nongsanviet.nongnghiep.vn/trong-dua-luoi-thuy-canh-ung-dung-cong-nghe-so-d385380.html