Planting 125 hectares of watermelons for the Lunar New Year.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Duc Linh district, farmers in the district have planted 125 out of 110 hectares of watermelons to serve the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon 2024, achieving 113.63% of the plan.

Watermelons are widely grown in the fields of Me Pu, Sung Nhon, and Nam Chinh communes. Some other localities, such as Vo Xu town and Duc Tin commune, also grow watermelons for Tet (Lunar New Year) this season, but not in large quantities. Me Pu commune has the largest watermelon cultivation area in the district, with 40 hectares, accounting for more than one-third of the total watermelon area in the district. The main watermelon varieties grown for Tet this season are APOLO 66, Kim Hong, and Trang Nong 12; with APOLO 66 accounting for 80% of the area. Watermelons for Tet 2024 are on average 24-26 days old and are currently flowering and bearing fruit.

Many farmers in Duc Linh commented: This year's weather is favorable, the melon crop for Tet (Lunar New Year) has few pests and diseases, and is growing well. With the current favorable weather, there is a high probability of a high yield, and the main crop of melons will be ready for harvest around the 15th day of the 12th lunar month for sale during Tet.

Mr. Tran Van Diep, residing in Ward 4, Vo Xu town, planted over 6 sao (approximately 0.6 hectares) of watermelons that are now 26 days old and thriving. He happily shared: “I’ve been growing watermelons for nearly 20 years, and I find the weather this season very favorable. Since the beginning of the season, there has only been one small, unseasonal rain shower, which hasn’t affected the watermelons’ growth. The watermelons are relatively free of pests and diseases and are growing very vigorously. Although only 26 days old, they are developing as well as watermelons over a month old from previous years. Harvest is expected around the middle of the 12th lunar month. I hope the weather continues to be favorable, resulting in low pest and disease levels, high yields, and good prices for watermelon growers to achieve high profits.”

Currently, Mr. Diep and many other farmers in Duc Linh are actively tending to and intensively cultivating their watermelon fields, hoping for a bountiful harvest and high prices this Tet holiday so that their families can earn a substantial profit and have a joyful Tet celebration.

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