Many households in Tien Dien commune have embraced technological advances, adopted closed-loop greenhouse production, and restructured their crops to create a new, more profitable way of farming. A prominent example is the greenhouse melon farm run by Nguyen Thi Minh Nhat's family on 5,000 square meters in Thanh Minh hamlet. Nhat and her family grow three crops a year, producing 4 tons of melons per crop and earning a net profit of between 10,000 and 12,000 USD annually.
“It’s so difficult to grow melons. At our farm, which has complete infrastructure, the plants are carefully nurtured. The melons are now ready for the market. They are sweet and favored by customers,” said Nhat.
Nguyen Van Huy converted 4,000 square meters of previously low-yield farmland into 8 greenhouses for organic melon cultivation. Using advanced technical methods, each 360-square-meter greenhouse produces an average of 2 tons of fruit. He told VOV, “Despite unstable weather this year, greenhouse cultivation helped us achieve relatively good yields. The melons weigh between 1.5 and 2 kilograms each, and this year's melons are exceptionally sweet.”
The greenhouse melon model is emerging as a high-value economic option for many households in Tien Dien commune. To ensure stable yields, quality, and a strong product reputation, local farmers are adopting organic farming practices and maintaining strict control over every stage, from plant care to pest management.
Tran Van Tuan, a local farmer preparing to harvest 1,200 melon plants, said that despite scorching weather this year, organic fertilization has helped the melon plants grow strong, produce good-quality fruit, and turn out higher yields than in previous seasons. “Organic fertilizers are essential for producing safe products. They help keep the plants healthy and produce sweet fruit. This year's melons are sweeter than last year's,” Tuan noted.
The model's success is owed to technical solutions like drip irrigation systems that provide balanced water and nutrients while saving labor and costs, and seeds with clear origins sourced from reputable suppliers.
Hoang Thi Van, a technical officer overseeing the melon model in Tien Dien commune, said that this melon variety is highly suited to the local weather and soil conditions, and generates relatively high economic returns. “It takes about 90 days from planting to harvesting, including 15 days for seed germination and sprouting. Once the seedlings develop two or three leaves, we transplant them into the soil. The main harvest comes after 65 to 70 days of careful tending,” Van explained.
The greenhouse models are made possible thanks to strong planning support, technical assistance, and production incentives from the local authorities. In recent years, the local administration has encouraged residents to develop safe, sustainable farming models, said Kieu Dinh Cong, Chairman of the Farmers Union of Tien Dien commune.
“This melon variety has demonstrated strong economic efficiency and proved well-suited to the local soil. The model has created jobs and increased farmers' incomes. It generates 3,900 USD per crop. The local government will continue to expand the model by helping households with sales, job generation, and sustainable livelihoods,” according to Cong.
Greenhouse-grown melons have stable market demand and require less labor than other crops. The model is boosting incomes and encouraging farmers to shift to high-tech, sustainable agriculture.
