The rural area of ​​Hop Kim is changing its crop structure.

Located along the tranquil and picturesque Boi River, Hop Kim commune boasts extensive alluvial land suitable for growing various crops, vegetables, and legumes. Local residents take advantage of crop rotation and increased production, creating a strong transformation movement throughout the countryside.

The pumpkin gardens in Hop Kim commune have begun their main harvest season.

The green squashes, laden with fruit, are ready for the first harvest of the season.

For the past five years, on over 3,000 ^{square meters} of family-owned rice fields, Mr. Bui Van Thanh in Doi 3 village has switched from planting two rice crops per year to growing green squash, cucumbers, and cantaloupes. Mr. Thanh happily shared: "Before, rice cultivation only provided enough food for consumption; the surplus was used for raising chickens, and selling it on the market didn't bring in much profit. Since households started switching to growing green squash, they've consistently earned profits from two crops per year. Everyone is delighted because the value from this crop is many times higher than rice cultivation." Outside of the rice growing season, some households take advantage of the fallow periods to increase their income from other crops, such as sweet corn and cantaloupes.

The allocated land was only enough for rice cultivation, so families in Mến Bôi hamlet leased agricultural land from the local authorities to grow green squash and cucumbers because they saw the potential for profit. Labor was mobilized to prepare the land, sow seeds, erect trellises, and care for the crops. In the hamlet, almost every family grows vegetables and food crops. Dozens of households are growing green squash on 1-2 hectares per season, such as Ms. Bùi Thị Chanh, Ms. Bùi Thị Thuận, Ms. Bùi Thị Diên, etc.

Traders come directly to the Hop Kim pumpkin growing region to buy the pumpkins from the local farmers.

This year's pumpkin crop is abundant, and prices are stable at the beginning of the season.

Ms. Bui Thi Chanh, head of the Women's Association in Men Boi hamlet, enthusiastically shared: "Crop restructuring has become a widespread movement. Women are diligently working and producing various types of vegetables and food crops with the motto 'eat what's in season.' In the last months of the year, they plant and harvest chayote, then switch to the main crop of green squash. From the beginning of August to the end of October is the time to harvest commercial squash. After a few days of rest, they switch to planting cucumbers and green beans. Some households also plant super-sweet corn, which provides a good income."

Households in Mến Bôi hamlet are implementing staggered planting of green squash to extend the harvesting period and increase economic efficiency.

Based on years of experience, farmers in the commune are planting green squash on a large scale but "avoiding" the harvesting time of other major squash-growing areas inside and outside the province. Mr. Bui Van Sang from Nam Thuong hamlet said: Planting green squash "avoiding" the same harvesting time helps ensure "output," preventing surplus agricultural products, facilitating sales, and stabilizing prices.

Currently, the harvest season for green squash, considered the main crop of the summer-autumn season in Hop Kim commune, is in full swing. According to local squash farmers, the purchase price of green squash at the farm ranges from 7,000 to 8,000 VND/kg. Located right on National Highway 12B, harvesting, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products are easy. Since switching to growing vegetables and food crops for both domestic and international markets, the area of ​​farmland in the commune has been "greened" throughout all four seasons. On average, the income per hectare of land grown for vegetables and food crops ranges from 150 to 250 million VND, 3 to 5 times higher than rice cultivation.

Following the merger of three former communes (Kim Lap, Nam Thuong, and Sao Bay), Hop Kim commune has a population of over 21,000 people, with the Muong ethnic group accounting for 80%. While some have shifted to tourism, the livelihoods of most households depend on agriculture. Short-term crops facilitate access to the market, providing the main source of income for the people. The villagers actively apply scientific and technical advancements to production, invest in intensive farming, participate in brand building, and obtain OCOP certification in some growing areas, resulting in crop fields yielding an average income of 200-400 million VND per hectare.

In some areas of land used for growing vegetables and legumes, farmers in Mến Bôi hamlet have intercropped corn and maize to increase their income.

The trellis system is ready for planting winter crops, vegetables, and legumes in Hop Kim commune's fields in 2025.

According to Comrade Dinh Thanh Tung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hop Kim commune, the strong movement to restructure crop production in hamlets and villages has made a significant contribution to the restructuring of the agricultural sector and the implementation of new rural criteria, resulting in improved economic efficiency and increased income for the people. Several models of cash crop cultivation have been implemented in the area, and 12 agricultural cooperatives have been established and are operating. By 2025, the average per capita income of the commune is expected to reach 50.4 million VND/person; the poverty rate will decrease to 4.74%.

However, to develop the economy towards green agriculture, and to achieve more effective and sustainable crop restructuring, local Party committees and authorities are strengthening efforts to attract investment, coordinating with businesses to establish linkages, provide advice, and support the application of scientific and technological advancements in production; encouraging households to implement models of growing organic and food-safe vegetables and crops, developing high-tech agricultural products with good competitiveness, and producing clean and safe products.

Bui Minh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/vung-que-hop-kim-chuyen-doi-co-cau-cay-trong-237732.htm