What began as a simple craving for sweet melon from the supermarket has become an impressive agricultural journey for Tran Thi Ut, Director of the Ngoc Thanh Melon Cooperative in Can Tho City. Over eight years, her passion blossomed into a high-tech farming model combining cultivation, processing, and agritourism. In early October, under the blazing midday sun, Tran Thi Ut and her husband walked through their sprawling 13,000m² cantaloupe farm in Dong Phuoc commune, Can Tho. She carefully examined each melon bed, adjusting and activating the drip irrigation system.
She shared that her love for cantaloupe began in the supermarket, where the high price sparked her curiosity. After tasting it, she was captivated by its cool sweetness and fragrant flavor. At the time, the local government was encouraging farmers to shift toward high-value crops and provided technical guidance for melon cultivation. Seizing the opportunity, she and her husband decided to give it a try. Ut adopted a rotational farming method and used drip irrigation. She selected a variety called dua luoi de dac mat – a round or slightly elongated melon with orange flesh, weighing between 1.6kg and 3kg, known for its light sweetness and crunch.
"Our first crop was a success. The melons were in season and sold at a good price, so we decided to expand," Ut recalled. "Now, we have 12 net houses covering about 13,000m²."
In 2021, her melons earned VietGAP certification and a 3-star OCOP rating. In May 2023, she founded the Ngoc Thanh Melon Cooperative with nine members. Within just a year, their products received a 4-star OCOP recognition.
Read more at Vietnam Net
