On November 22, information from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Gia Lai province said that watermelon prices are currently low, causing many farmers in the area to suffer heavy losses.
According to records, in the border communes of Chu Prong district such as Ia Lau, Ia Pior, Ia Mo…, many farmers had to throw away watermelons in the fields. The reason is that traders buy at low prices.
Mr. Bui Van Phung - Secretary of the Party Committee of Ia Pior commune - said: "There are more than 30 hectares of watermelon in the area, mainly rented by people from Binh Dinh. Currently, the price of watermelon is very low, about 2,000 VND/kg".
The selling price is low, while for each hectare, farmers have to pay land rent and invest in costs of 150 - 160 million VND/ha.
In Ia Lau commune, statistics show that there are 33 households growing watermelons on an area of nearly 80 hectares. The watermelons were not purchased at a fixed price by the people and were damaged in many fields.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Tam - a resident who rents land to grow melons in Ia Mor commune - said: "This year's weather is complicated, with frost causing the melons to rot at the roots, the fruit is not beautiful, the yield is low, so the price of watermelons has dropped. Partly because traders have limited purchases to export to China."
Mr. Doan Ngoc Co - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Gia Lai province - said that the province's large melon granaries are concentrated in the eastern districts such as Krong Pa and Ayun Pa.
Because people do not follow recommendations and plant on their own in Chu Prong district (west of Gia Lai province), it is difficult to avoid being affected and suffering losses.
In particular, due to the unfavorable weather in this region and unsuitable land, the quality and yield of watermelons are not guaranteed. In addition, the consumption market has decreased, so the purchase price of watermelons has also fallen to rock bottom.
