Melon plants in the fields of Tan Lang

Since 2020, along with citrus fruits gradually establishing their position in the market, Tan Lang commune, Phu Yen district, has successfully experimented with and expanded the model of growing watermelons and cantaloupes in Yen Thinh village. This model opens up a new direction for agricultural product development, contributing to diversifying agricultural products and increasing income for the people.

In 2018, Tan Lang commune introduced watermelon cultivation on a trial basis on an area of ​​500 m² to assess its adaptability to local natural conditions. Subsequently, the area planted with watermelons expanded year after year. For the 2025 harvest season alone, farmers throughout the commune planted 5 hectares of watermelons, with an expected yield of approximately 20-22 tons/ha. According to the farmers, after deducting production costs, the profit is estimated at 20-30 million VND/ha/season. In production, farmers intercrop watermelons with various other crops to increase income and maintain soil fertility.

Farmers in Yen Thinh village, Tan Lang commune, inspect the melon plantation on the hillside.

Mr. Tran Van Hoa, from Yen Thinh village, Tan Lang commune, shared: "Watermelon is a short-term crop, harvested after about 60-70 days, requiring little care. My family usually sows it in the second lunar month, when the soil is sufficiently moist thanks to spring rains, then fertilizes with manure and waits for the plants to bear fruit. During the young fruit stage, we need to pay attention to disease prevention and supplement with NPK fertilizer. After this period, the fruit develops stably, and we only need to elevate the fruit to prevent rotting; we don't need to do much more care."

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Xuan Hoang from Yen Thinh village started growing watermelons in 2020 on an area of ​​5,000 m², harvesting more than 10 tons. Seeing that traders needed to buy additional cantaloupes and honeydews, he researched and intercropped these varieties. Mr. Hoang said: Currently, his family has 5,000 m² planted with watermelons and more than 3,000 m² planted with cantaloupes and honeydews. These types of melons are highly appreciated by consumers, and the average selling price for watermelons and cantaloupes is...   15,000 VND/kg; and for cantaloupe, 25,000 VND/kg.

Farmers in Tan Lang commune exchange experiences on watermelon cultivation before harvest.

In 2025, the commune plans to plant 2 hectares of new melons in Yen Thinh village. Mr. Ban Van Nhau, Vice Chairman of the Tan Lang Commune People's Committee, stated: Currently, production is still insufficient to meet consumption needs. The commune's cultivation of watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews is only in its initial stages. To build a brand and establish cooperatives and production groups, the commune is encouraging residents to expand planting areas and apply organic production processes from the outset, aiming for sustainable development.

Watermelons grown in Yen Thinh village, Tan Lang commune, are thriving.

With the commune's guidance, it is believed that the melon products from Tan Lang commune will provide customers with high-quality products and help melon growers increase their income, aiming to become wealthy from melon production.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/cay-dua-tren-dong-dat-tan-lang-eXzSpbfNg.html