The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has developed specialised vegetable growing areas that yield higher profits than rice. They include vegetable areas in Chau Thanh district, watermelon areas in Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) area, and lemongrass areas in Tan Phu Dong district.
Tan Phu Dong has more than 1,350ha of lemongrass, with an average annual yield of 15 – 17 tonnes per hectare. The district supplies more than 22,000 tonnes of lemongrass for herbal and medicinal use a year. Last month the district was awarded the “Tan Phu Dong Lemongrass” collective brand name by the National Office of Intellectual Property.
Nguyen Van Ba, who grows honeydew melons in a 1,000 m2 nethouse in My city’s My Phong commune, said that melons were not difficult to grow but that farmers needed quality seeds and new farming techniques. Nethouse cultivation of melons uses less fertiliser and pesticides, and the plants have fewer diseases and a more stable yield, he said.
“The cultivation of honeydew melons in nethouses offer high profits,” he told en.vietnamplus.vn.