Hop Kim countryside changes crop structure

Located along the peaceful and poetic Boi River, Hop Kim commune has a long alluvial land area suitable for growing crops, vegetables and beans. Local people take advantage of crop rotation, increase production, creating a strong transformation movement throughout the countryside.

Pumpkin gardens in Hop Kim commune are entering the main harvest season.

Green squash hanging ready to be harvested at the beginning of the season.

In the past 5 years, on the 3,000m2 ^of rice fields owned by his family, Mr. Bui Van Thanh in Doi 3 village did not grow 2 rice crops like every year but switched to growing squash, cucumber, and melon. Mr. Hung excitedly said: Before, growing rice was just enough to eat, the surplus was used to raise chickens, but selling it to the market was not much. Since the day households encouraged each other to switch to growing squash, the profit is always 2 crops per year, every household is excited because the value of this crop is many times higher than growing rice. Outside the crop time frame, some households take advantage of the time when the land is vacant, increasing their income from other crops, such as sweet corn and melon.

The allocated land area is only enough to grow rice, families in Men Boi hamlet contracted local agricultural land to grow squash and cucumber because they saw the efficiency. Human resources were mobilized to prepare the land, sow seeds, set up trellises, and fertilize the plants. In the hamlet, almost every family grows vegetables. Dozens of households are growing squash with an area of 1-2 hectares/crop, such as Ms. Bui Thi Chanh, Bui Thi Thuan, Bui Thi Dien...

Traders come to Hop Kim pumpkin growing area to buy for farmers.

This year's squash is fruitful, prices are stable at the beginning of the season.

Ms. Bui Thi Chanh, Head of the Women's Association of Men Boi hamlet, excitedly shared: Changing the crop structure has become a widespread movement. Women are enthusiastic about production, planting and growing various types of vegetables and food crops with the motto of each season, each food. In the last months of the year, women plant and harvest peanuts, then switch to the main crop of growing squash. From the beginning of August to the end of October is the time to harvest commercial squash. After a few days of rest, women switch to growing cucumbers and green beans. Some households also plant super sweet corn for a good income.

Households in Men Boi hamlet are planting green squash in a row to extend the harvest time and increase economic efficiency.

Based on years of experience, farmers in the commune have been planting squash on a large scale but “avoiding” the harvest time of other major squash growing areas in and outside the province. Mr. Bui Van Sang in Nam Thuong hamlet said: Planting squash “avoiding” the harvest time at the same time will help ensure the “output” factor, not leaving surplus agricultural products, we have favorable conditions for consumption and stable prices.

It is the beginning of the green squash harvest, a staple crop in the summer-autumn crop in Hop Kim commune. According to local households growing squash, the price of green squash purchased at the garden fluctuates between 7,000 and 8,000 VND/kg. Because it is located right on National Highway 12B, harvesting, transporting and circulating agricultural products is easy. Since switching to growing food crops for domestic and foreign markets, the area of fields in the area has been "greened" all four seasons. The average income per hectare of land for growing vegetables is from 150 to 250 million VND, 3 to 5 times higher than that of rice cultivation.

After merging 3 old communes (Kim Lap, Nam Thuong, Sao Bay), Hop Kim commune has a population of over 21,000 people, of which the Muong ethnic group accounts for 80%. In addition to a part of the population switching to tourism, the lives of most households depend on agricultural cultivation. Short-term crops help access the commodity market, bringing the main source of income for the people. People in the commune actively apply science and technology to production, invest in intensive farming, participate in brand building and certify OCOP products in some growing areas, forming crop fields with an average income of 200 - 400 million VND/ha.

Some areas of bean and vegetable plants have been intercropped with corn and corn by farmers in Men Boi hamlet to increase income.

The trellis system is ready to prepare for planting winter crops and vegetables in 2025 on the fields of Hop Kim commune.

According to Mr. Dinh Thanh Tung, Chairman of Hop Kim Commune People's Committee, the strong movement of crop restructuring in hamlets and villages has contributed significantly to restructuring the agricultural sector and implementing new rural criteria, improving economic efficiency and income for people. In the area, there are a number of models of growing crops, establishing and maintaining the operation of 12 agricultural cooperatives. In 2025, the average income per capita of the commune will reach 50.4 million VND/person; the poverty rate will decrease to 4.74%.

However, to develop the economy towards green agriculture, the conversion of crop structure is more effective and sustainable, local authorities are increasing investment attraction, coordinating with enterprises to carry out linkages, consulting, supporting the application of scientific and technical advances in production; encouraging households to implement models of growing organic vegetables and food in a safe and hygienic direction, developing agricultural products with high technology content, good competitiveness and clean and safe products.

Bui Minh

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