Changing crop structure brings efficiency

Mr. Nguyen Van Chung (Nhon Thanh Trung commune, Tan An city) said that tomatoes will be harvested 70-75 days after planting with prices ranging from 10,000-25,000 VND/kg.

Restructuring and developing sustainable agriculture

According to the Farmers' Association of Long An province, in 2023, the total crop area converted from rice land to short-term crops was more than 3,222 hectares, mainly watermelon, sesame, all kinds of vegetables, etc. Compared to rice cultivation, this conversion brings higher economic efficiency, typically watermelon average profit is from 20-50 million VND/ha/crop, vegetables of all kinds average profit is from 30-40 million VND/hectare/crop. Regarding the conversion from rice to perennial crops, in 2023, the conversion area was more than 2,230 hectares, mainly lemon, durian, apricot, etc. These crops all bring profit from 20-150 million VND/ha/year.

Vice Chairman of Provincial Farmers' Association - Tran Quoc Quan informed: "Converting crop structure on ineffective rice land helps farmers increase income on the same cultivated area. In particular, it helps limit land fallowing and reorganize agricultural production in some regions to exploit the advantages of land and natural conditions of each locality to develop agriculture. Thereby, forming specialized production areas with a large volume of agricultural products and high economic efficiency, serving the restructuring of the agricultural sector."

To encourage farmers to boldly change their crop structure, in recent times, the Provincial Farmers' Association has increased propaganda work to officials, members, and farmers about the State's policies and orientations on the conversion of crop structure. In addition, the Association also organizes technical training classes for farmers, builds crop restructuring models in localities for replication; encourage the application of good agricultural practices (GAP), high technology applications, and digital transformation in agriculture.

At the same time, the Association also organized many propaganda sessions to help farmers change their thinking and production methods from household scale to cooperative groups, cooperatives, etc. In addition, the Association also directs grassroots associations to coordinate the integration of local economic capital sources and mobilize other legal capital sources to support cooperatives, cooperative groups, and individuals participating in crop restructuring.

Bringing high economic efficiency

Realizing that growing rice was no longer as economically effective as before, Mr. Huynh Ngoc Phuc (An Thanh commune, Ben Luc district) switched to growing seedless lemons. Initially, because he did not have enough knowledge and experience, he encountered many difficulties. Thanks to learning from previous growers and mass media, up to now, his 1 hectare of seedless lemons has been highly effective, bringing high income to his family.

Mr. Huynh Ngoc Phuc's seedless lemon model (An Thanh commune, Ben Luc district) helps his family increase their income.

At the same time, to gain more knowledge and techniques for caring for seedless lemon trees, he regularly participates in training classes on plant care techniques from the An Thanh Commune Farmers' Association. According to Mr. Phuc, seedless lemons are easy to grow and care for, and the investment capital is not too high. However, before planting, you need to make the soil loose, add lime and manure to the planting hole, and spray medicine to treat bacteria in manure.

Seedless lemon trees can be planted for about 1.5 years before being harvested for the first time. To ensure the high quality fruit, after about 5-6 years, he will replant the crop. Mr. Phuc shared: "Seedless lemon trees bear fruit all year round, they just need good care, adequate watering and fertilization. The biggest and most productive lemons trees are when they are 3-4 years old.

Mr. Phuc's seedless lemon garden is harvested once a month, with a yield of 1.5-2 tons/month. Depending on the time, lemon prices range from 10,000-25,000 VND/kg. After deducting expenses, each year he earns a profit of about 200 million VND.

Previously, because growing rice was not as effective as expected, Mr. Nguyen Van Chung (Nhon Thanh Trung commune, Tan An city) boldly switched to growing vegetables. This opened up a new opportunity for his family.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Chung (Nhon Thanh Trung commune, Tan An city), September to the end of December (lunar calendar) is the most suitable time to grow tomatoes.

With nearly 26 years of experience in growing vegetables, according to Mr. Chung, each type will have its own techniques and experience to achieve high yields. “For growing vegetables, mulching plays an important role. It is necessary to cover the ridge with mulch to limit harmful insects, prevent weeds, retain fertilizer, limit alum, salinity, etc. In the rainy season, we need to pump water out to avoid water flooding the beds, causing flooding. In the dry season, we need to pump water in to maintain humidity." - Mr. Chung shared.

Depending on the season, weather and market demand, Mr. Chung will choose the appropriate vegetable to avoid the situation of "high harvest, low price". He often intercrops tomatoes, bitter melon, cucumbers, cabbage, etc. Currently, with 0.7 hectares of land, he divides it into planting tomatoes and cucumbers. After harvesting the crop, he will switch to growing other vegetables to avoid the decline in soil fertility and reduce the risk of harmful pests and diseases.

“When growing vegetables, I earn more profit than growing rice. The highest crop has a profit of more than 100 million VND, thanks to minimizing the hiring of workers, except during harvest times" - Mr. Chung said.

According to Provincial Farmers' Association, the procedure for converting crop structure from rice to other crop may sound simple but is difficult to implement. Many localities are still confused and not bold enough to allow conversion. In addition, regulations on taking topsoil to convert land use purposes are not consistent with reality. The Provincial Farmers' Association will propose these problems, making it easier for farmers to change crop structure, thereby having conditions to develop production and increase family income./.

By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/chuyen-doi-co-cau-cay-trong-mang-lai-hieu-qua-a174143.html