Growing cucumbers - A new economic development direction in Binh Lu commune

Members of the Na Phat Safe Vegetable and Fruit Production and Processing Cooperative (Binh Lu Commune) pick cucumbers.

With cool climate and fertile land, people in Binh Lu commune have many advantages to grow a variety of crops. Previously, people mainly grew rice and corn, however, the productivity and economic value were not high. Realizing the potential of the land to grow short-term vegetables, the Commune Farmers' Association propagated and mobilized cooperatives and people to put cucumbers into trial production.

Ms. Deo Thi May's family is one of the members of the Na Phat Safe Vegetable, Root and Fruit Production and Processing Cooperative, pioneering in growing cucumbers. Previously, on the barren land, her family mainly grew rice but the economic efficiency was low. Since switching to growing squash, her family's life has also changed. However, squash plants have many pests and diseases, so they require careful care and a lot of work. With the Na Phat Safe Vegetable, Root and Fruit Production and Processing Cooperative's propaganda on changing the crop structure, Ms. May boldly switched to growing cucumbers. Up to now, the cucumber plants have grown and developed well, and are starting to be harvested.

The Na Phat Safe Vegetable, Root and Fruit Production and Processing Cooperative currently has 13 members. In recent years, the members of the Group have boldly converted ineffective agricultural land areas to grow vegetables such as squash, vegetables, roots and fruits that bring in high income. With the propaganda and mobilization of the Commune Farmers' Association to convert to growing cucumbers, up to now, 3 members have boldly planted. Thanks to active care; proactive prevention and control of pests and diseases, the cucumber area has grown and developed well and begun to be harvested.

Right from the beginning of the implementation, farmer members and members of the Cooperative Group were instructed by the Commune Farmers' Association officials on planting, care and pest control techniques. Cucumber plants have a short growing period (about 60-70 days to harvest) and are suitable for the climate conditions of the region, so they grow well, produce many fruits and give high yields.

After the first crop, it was found that on average, each sao of cucumber yielded 8-10 quintals of fruit, with a selling price ranging from 13,000-14,000 VND/kg, people earned tens of millions of VND after just a few months and especially the economic efficiency was 2-3 times higher than growing corn or rice. The cultivation process does not require much investment capital, can take advantage of available organic fertilizers; besides, it also makes good use of idle labor in the family, creating stable jobs during the off-season.

Realizing the initial effectiveness, the Farmers' Association of Binh Lu commune is planning to expand the cucumber growing model to villages with similar conditions; at the same time, coordinating with organizations and businesses to build a stable product consumption chain, helping people have a stable output.

Although cucumbers have just been planted, they have opened up prospects for agricultural economic development for Binh Lu commune. We believe that with the attention and support of the government and the determination of the people, cucumbers will soon become a key crop, contributing to increasing income and improving the lives of farmers here.