Members of Thanh Son Cooperative, Yen Son commune, Yen Chau district, harvest green pumpkins.

As the first vegetable-growing cooperative in Yen Son commune, the members of Thanh Son Cooperative in Quynh Phuong village are busy harvesting green squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, sweet cabbage, etc., these days to supply markets inside and outside the province.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, director of the cooperative, shared: "The cooperative has 7 members, cultivating 15 hectares of various vegetables and fruits, all using an automatic irrigation system. Depending on the season, the cooperative introduces new varieties with high yield and quality, such as F1 hybrid green squash, TV20 short-day heat-tolerant cabbage, etc."

In addition to producing safe vegetables during the main season, the cooperative also cultivates 5.5 hectares of safe vegetables out of season using organic methods. Although off-season cultivation results in lower yields, increased susceptibility to pests and diseases, and requires meticulous care, the selling price is higher and the produce is easier to market. The cooperative's vegetable and fruit production reaches nearly 500 tons per year, generating revenue of nearly 2 billion VND.

In recent days, due to heavy rains, the cooperative's vegetable crops were waterlogged, damaged, and yielded reduced productivity. After the water receded, the cooperative instructed its members to level the soil, select short-growing vegetables, and apply seedling propagation techniques in trays or bags to ensure a high survival rate and quick rooting. In addition, they encouraged households to increase the use of organic fertilizers to improve soil aeration.

Mr. Pham Van Dung, a member of Thanh Son Cooperative, said: "My family grows over 3,000 square meters of green squash and beans. With guidance from the cooperative, we have built embankments around the garden, dug drainage ditches between the rows; and used agricultural mulch to limit soil erosion. For the green squash specifically, we built sturdy trellises to ensure good plant growth and development. Since the beginning of the year, my family has harvested 10 tons of green squash, selling it at an average price of 10,000 VND/kg."income100 million dong.

Besides Thanh Son Cooperative, many households in Yen Son commune have now expanded their area for growing safe vegetables, bringing in stable income.

Mr. Tran Van Tinh, a veteran vegetable farmer in Chieng Hung village, shared: "Previously, people mainly produced based on experience and used inorganic fertilizers. After receiving training and guidance from specialized departments of the district and commune, my family now makes our own pesticides from onions, garlic, and chili peppers; and composts organic fertilizer to fertilize our vegetables. Therefore, with over 5,000 square meters of land..."²"We grow pumpkins and green beans, sometimes harvesting 4-5 tons per month, earning a profit of 100-150 million VND per year."

Currently, Yen Son commune has over 40 households producing safe vegetables, with a total area of ​​nearly 30 hectares, concentrated in Quynh Phuong and Chieng Hung villages. Each year, they supply over 700 tons of various vegetables and fruits to the market. In addition to growing commercial vegetables, the farmers also cultivate vegetable seedlings to supply neighboring localities.

Mr. Do Van Thiet, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Son commune, said: "Growing safe vegetables is a suitable direction, helping many households stabilize their jobs and earn high incomes. The commune has proactively coordinated with specialized departments of the district to promote the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge and develop safe and organic vegetable growing areas."

Directing cooperatives in the area to pay attention to and guide people on planting and caring techniques, and selecting new varieties suitable for the season and soil conditions. Integrating various funding sources to support cooperatives and farmers in building greenhouses for vegetable cultivation; encouraging linkages in production and product consumption, and developing sustainable safe vegetable growing areas."

Source: tuoitre.vn