The bustling watermelon season for Tet (Lunar New Year)

In the final days of the year, the fields of Khanh Lam commune are bustling with activity as farmers busily tend to their watermelon crops to supply the Tet market. Although there is still more than a month until Tet, the watermelon fields are already lush and green, promising a bountiful harvest.

• Farmers in Ngoc Hien district have a successful watermelon harvest for Tet (Lunar New Year).
• The joyful season of harvesting watermelons for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).
• Farmers in Phuoc Long have a bumper watermelon harvest for Tet.

Watermelon farming has been a part of the lives of the people of Khánh Lâm for many years. Thanks to suitable soil conditions, the watermelon plants grow well, producing large, round fruits with red flesh and a sweet taste, which are popular in the market, especially during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Mr. Nguyen Van Tri, residing in Hamlet 17, Khanh Lam Commune, who has many years of experience growing watermelons for Tet (Lunar New Year), said that the ideal time to plant is around the 15th-16th of October in the lunar calendar. By around the 23rd-24th of December, the watermelons begin to be harvested simultaneously, ensuring a timely supply for the Tet market .

Mr. Nguyen Van Tri trimmed away unnecessary shoots, helping the watermelon plant grow well.

This year, Mr. Tri's family planted 2 plots of land (approximately 2,000 m²) of melons for Tet (Lunar New Year). Typically, the melons are sold in bulk to traders for around 42,000 VND per fruit. Each season, the family earns about 85 million VND; after deducting expenses, the profit is over 60 million VND.

According to local farmers' experience, planting melons early helps manage time, reduce risks, and avoid oversupply during peak harvest season. Many households are boldly investing in new varieties and applying advanced cultivation techniques to improve fruit quality and meet market demand in the final days of the year.

Mr. Mai Hoang Tham, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Khanh Lam commune, said: Currently, the entire commune has 33 households growing watermelons for Tet (Lunar New Year), concentrated in hamlets 13, 14, 17, and 18, with a total area of ​​about 22 acres (22,000 m²). In recent years, the model of growing watermelons for Tet has brought clear economic benefits, contributing to increasing income and improving the lives of many farmer members.

The melon crop, which is over 20 days old, belonging to farmer Khánh Lâm is developing well.

"Compared to some traditional crops, watermelons have a short growing season, are easy to apply technological advancements to, and have a relatively stable output if production is organized properly," Mr. Tham commented.

In the coming time, the Farmers' Association of the commune will continue to coordinate with specialized departments to guide farmers in applying safe farming practices, gradually forming concentrated growing areas, and improving product quality. At the same time, it will encourage farmers to cooperate in production, aiming to build a brand and find sustainable markets for Khanh Lam watermelons, contributing to increasing the value and competitiveness of local agricultural products.

Despite facing concerns about weather and market prices, melon growers in Khanh Lam still have high hopes for a successful harvest. The melon season leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) is not only preparation for the year-end market, but also represents faith and the wish for a prosperous and warm Tet after days of hard work in the fields.

Le Thuc - Thanh Toan

Source: https://baocamau.vn/ron-rang-mua-dua-hau-tet-a125141.html