Digital technology changes the way melons are grown in Khanh Hoa

In recent years, Vietnamese agriculture has witnessed a strong transformation thanks to the application of digital technology. In Khanh Hoa, melon fields that were once affected by intense heat, drought and pests are now becoming “smart gardens”, where farmers can monitor, control and optimize every stage of production right on their phones.

The combination of greenhouses, drip irrigation systems, sensors and management software has opened up a new direction for high-tech melon production, improving productivity, quality and product value.

In the past, melon cultivation in Khanh Hoa faced many difficulties. Harsh weather, intense sunlight, prolonged rain or drought all affected the yield and quality of the fruit. Farmers mainly grew according to traditional experience, watered manually, spread fertilizers based on intuition and faced uncontrollable pests and diseases. These uncertain factors made production fragmented, unstable and difficult to meet export requirements.

Melon model for high income.

Things began to change when high-tech greenhouse models were tested. Khanh Hoa Agricultural Extension Center guided farmers to apply VietGAP procedures for melons, build greenhouses with high-quality materials, ventilation doors, sunshades, drip irrigation systems and soil trays. More importantly, sensors measure temperature, soil humidity, air humidity, light and management software to help accurately control the growing conditions of plants. The system automatically adjusts watering, fertilizing, opening ventilation doors or turning on fans, helping plants grow stably even when the weather outside fluctuates strongly. Thanks to that, farmers no longer have to be on duty 24/7, but can still "monitor the garden" remotely.

The effectiveness of digital technology in growing melons in Khanh Hoa is very clear. A household grows melons in a 1,000 m² greenhouse, applies a drip irrigation system, uses a substrate mixed with alluvial soil, vermicompost and peat, achieving a yield of nearly 4 tons/crop. With a grade 1 selling price of about 35,000 VND/kg, after deducting costs, the profit reaches more than 40 million VND per crop, 1.5-2 times higher than the traditional method. At the same time, labor costs are reduced by about 30%, the fruit is uniform, beautiful and has few pests. Moreover, thanks to strict input control, melons meet food safety standards, meeting domestic consumption needs and aiming for export.

Not only technology, digital transformation also changes production thinking. Previously, farmers relied on experience. Now they become data managers, monitoring growth logs, making decisions based on actual parameters, optimizing every step from seeds, soil, irrigation, nutrition to harvesting and packaging. Instead of only doing one crop a year, they plan 3-4 crops, calculating costs, profits, and risks before planting, improving efficiency and reducing losses.

In addition to economic benefits, digital technology also helps save resources, reduce the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Recording and storing production information allows traceability, building a brand of "clean" agricultural products, meeting the high standards of the modern market. The melon gardens in Khanh Hoa are not only beautiful images, but also living proof of smart, professional and sustainable agriculture.

However, there are still many challenges to the widespread and sustainable development of the high-tech melon model. The initial investment costs for greenhouses, irrigation systems, sensors and management software are not small, which is a barrier for many small-scale farmers. Operating the technology requires skills, technical knowledge and the ability to comply with the process. Moreover, it is necessary to build a chain from production to processing, distribution and consumption, ensuring a stable market and long-term efficiency. Climate change and extreme weather are also factors to consider in the design and operation of greenhouses.

The story of Khanh Hoa melons proves that digital technology, when applied properly, can fundamentally change the way farmers produce. Not only increasing productivity and profits, technology also helps to form modern production thinking, control quality, build brands and improve competitiveness. The important thing is to apply technology in a planned, practical way, combined with training, technical support and markets. At that time, digital agriculture will not only be a slogan, but will truly become a driving force for sustainable development, opening up a new direction for high-tech melon production and Vietnamese agriculture in general.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/cong-nghe-so-thay-doi-cach-trong-dua-luoi-tai-khanh-hoa-197251130212856217.htm