Watermelon on rice land- a smart agricultural model
The land transformation from for rice to for watermelon has been effective, adapting to climate change.
Watermelon was planted on the land for rice under the CSA (community supported agriculture) model in Tam Loc, Tam Phuoc, Tam Vinh and Tam Dan communes (Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province) in the last Summer-Autumn crop.
This model helps farmers reduce production costs but increase productivity.
It is the 3rd crop of watermelon that has been farmed on rice land under the CSA model in Phu Ninh. It is really effective, contributing to the locals’ income improvement.
According to farmers planting watermelon in Phu Ninh district, the CSA model helps them save water for irrigation and labour for land reclamation, raise the watermelon productivity. Moreover, watermelon is at a high price now, bringing in 10 times as many profits as rice. So, farmers are really encouraged.
According to the Phu Ninh Centre for Agricultural Techniques, it is the last watermelon crop to be supported by WB7 project. However, once farmers know the techniques, they are able to keep on their farming without the support from the project.