Having just harvested 2,000 m2 of watermelon in rice fields, Mr. Lam Ngoc Tuong - a farmer in Ward 7 (Soc Trang City) - shared: "This crop has a yield of more than 6 tons, selling at prices ranging from 3,500 - 5,500 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, I still make a profit of about 6 - 7 million VND after only 2 months of planting".
According to Mr. Tuong, compared to growing rice, watermelon brings double the economic efficiency. The growth time of watermelon is only about 2 months, helping farmers harvest quickly.
"If the weather is good in a year, the melons will be harvested in just 55 days, and if it is late, it will be 60 days. After harvesting in the dry season, hot weather, and lack of water, we are not affected like growing rice, which takes 3 months to harvest," said Mr. Tuong.
Mr. Ngo Duc Nhuan, also in Ward 7 (Soc Trang City) with more than 10 years of experience in growing watermelon, said: "Growing rice in the late winter-spring crop at this time is very risky, if the crop is poor and prices fall, it could be a total loss. Meanwhile, growing watermelon despite low prices but high productivity makes farmers still make a profit, at least break even. This model is especially effective in hot and dry conditions as it is now."
Not only does it help farmers have more stable income, the watermelon growing model on rice fields also has the effect of improving the soil.
Mr. Lam Ngoc Anh - another watermelon grower in Soc Trang City - said: "The rice land is constantly depleted, the yield is reduced and the rice price is unstable. Growing watermelon helps improve soil fertility, reduce pests and diseases and reduce care costs. After the melon crop, I plow, dry the soil, then sow rice in the rainy season. The rice grows well, reducing the cost of fertilizer".
The model of growing watermelon on rice fields in the dry season has been applied by many farmers in Soc Trang city and Long Phu, Tran De, and My Xuyen districts. Every year, after harvesting the Winter-Spring rice crop, farmers improve the soil to grow melons.
To get water for irrigation, people only need to dig ditches directly on rice fields and then bring water into the water to water, water twice a day. This crop conversion not only helps farmers have a stable income, but also helps create more jobs for workers, especially during the lean times when rice production is difficult.
According to records, although this year's unfavorable weather has caused watermelon yields to decrease compared to previous crops, many farmers still ensure a profit of 5 - 7 million VND/1,000 m2.
