Farmers in Nam Giang have a bumper garlic harvest.

QTO - In recent years, the conversion of inefficient rice fields to garlic cultivation has opened up a new direction for the people of Nam Gianh commune. This year's winter-spring crop has brought great joy to the farmers as the purple garlic not only yielded high productivity but also maintained a stable selling price.

These days, strolling around Con Nam village – the "garlic capital" of Nam Gianh commune – reveals a bustling scene everywhere. Along the roads and in the yards, people are busy drying and processing bundles of fragrant purple garlic to deliver to traders. Thanks to favorable weather and good care, this year's winter-spring garlic crop in Con Nam is bountiful, with yields reaching 50-52 quintals per hectare.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, from Con Nam village, said: “Previously, my family grew rice and sweet potatoes, but the economic efficiency was not high. Following the policy of converting low-yield rice land to garlic cultivation, my family invested in planting 9 sao (approximately 0.9 hectares) of garlic. This year, the weather has been favorable, and my 9 sao of garlic has grown well, with large, firm, uniform, and beautiful bulbs. With an average selling price of 55,000-60,000 VND per 100 bulbs, each sao of garlic brings in nearly 5 million VND. Besides garlic, we also intercrop other plants such as peanuts, chili peppers, eggplant, etc., contributing to increased income.”

To obtain high-quality garlic, the people of Con Nam rely not only on experience but also strictly adhere to clean production processes. Nguyen Van Hien, a long-time garlic grower, said: “Growing garlic isn't just about having good seeds, good soil, or plenty of fertilizer; you need to understand the characteristics of the garlic plant to achieve high yields. Although the soil doesn't need deep plowing or extensive tilling, it still needs to be loose and porous because garlic has a fibrous root system. For garlic to thrive, attention must be paid to natural factors like soil, providing additional water, and planting at the right time. This will ensure the garlic grows well and produces even branches.”

After harvesting, the garlic is dried and preserved by the people of Con Nam village according to proper technical procedures - Photo: L.Chi

Con Nam village, located in the sandy alluvial plains of Nam Gianh commune, cannot produce rice due to its sandy soil and salinity during high tides. Over the years, based on the local situation, the commune government has directed the people to overcome difficulties, switch to other crops, and expand the area of ​​land planted with garlic to develop the economy of the alluvial plains and increase people's income.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, Director of the Con Nam Clean Garlic Production and General Service Cooperative, said that this year's winter-spring crop saw 17 hectares of garlic planted in Con Nam village with the participation of 70 households. This is one of the largest garlic-growing areas in Nam Gianh commune. From the beginning of the season, thanks to favorable weather, few pests and diseases, and proactive care and rational fertilization, the garlic plants grew and developed well, yielding high productivity.

Garlic from Con Nam is renowned for its cleanliness, as it is grown according to a strictly controlled process. Each farming household receives professional training, ensuring hygiene and a commitment to product safety. From harvesting to processing, every step is carefully managed, resulting in large, firm, and flavorful garlic bulbs supplied to consumers. Garlic thrives in cold and humid conditions, so it is typically planted in winter, from November to April of the following year.

In the early days of cultivation, Con Nam garlic did not reach a wide range of consumers. However, in recent years, thanks to investment and brand promotion, Con Nam garlic has gradually established its brand in the market, appearing in many markets and large distributors in the province.

After the farmers harvest, the cooperative buys the garlic, dries it, cleans it, and packages it into products. Each year, the cooperative buys and sells more than 2 tons of dried garlic to the market, generating an income of over 200 million VND per year.

According to Nguyen Thi Thuy, Vice President of the Farmers' Association of Nam Gianh commune, the entire commune currently has 45 hectares of garlic cultivation, mainly concentrated in the alluvial plain villages such as Con Nam, Tan Dinh, and Dong Thanh. Thanks to suitable soil conditions and years of production experience, Nam Gianh purple garlic has firm bulbs, a distinctive purple skin, and a strong aroma, making it highly sought after in the market.

According to local assessments, the 2025-2026 winter-spring garlic crop is expected to yield an average of 52-53 quintals/hectare, higher than in previous years. Notably, the price of grade 1 purple garlic currently ranges from 100,000-150,000 VND/kg, providing garlic growers with stable income, and many households achieving considerable profits.

The success of the 2025-2026 garlic crop not only brings material joy to farmers but also affirms the correctness of the local policy of restructuring crop patterns. This is the driving force for Nam Gianh to continue maintaining and developing the purple garlic brand, transforming this regional specialty into a sustainable key economic product.

L.Chi

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202604/nong-dan-nam-gianh-duoc-mua-toi-fda1e94/