What makes Mỏ Ó watermelons so attractive?

Quality and cultivation models of Mỏ Ó watermelons

Characteristics of the fruit and production at the cooperative

Due to suitable soil conditions, watermelons here are highly rated by consumers for their quality: deep red, firm flesh with a characteristic sandy texture, mild sweetness, and always commanding good prices.

For sustainable cultivation and development, local residents established the Mỏ Ó Hamlet Vegetable Cooperative following organic practices with 21 members and a cultivation area of 18 hectares; selling prices are 20-30% higher than conventional watermelons.
Visiting the watermelon field of Mr. Triệu Văn Út Nhỏ, a member of the Mỏ Ó Vegetable Cooperative, during harvest time, Mr. Nhỏ shared: "I have been growing watermelons for over 17 years. Since 2019, I switched to growing Mỏ Ó watermelons organically, and traders from Ho Chi Minh City come to buy them directly at the field."

This watermelon crop, Mr. Nhỏ planted 5,000m2 (including seeded and seedless watermelons), with an estimated harvest yield of over 15 tons. According to Mr. Nhỏ's calculations, the selling price for seeded watermelons is 10,000 VND/kg, and seedless watermelons are 13,000 VND/kg. After deducting costs, he earned a profit of over 100 million VND (Mr. Út Nhỏ does not have a formal output partnership).

Organic cultivation partnership and guaranteed consumption

Not far from Mr. Nhỏ's field is the watermelon field of Mr. Triệu Văn Út, also a member of the Mỏ Ó Vegetable Cooperative. His field was selected as a pilot for the organic watermelon cultivation model in partnership with the Quế Lâm Group, which has guaranteed the purchase of watermelons after harvest for 7 years.

According to Mr. Út, growing organically produces better quality fruit, ensures the health of himself and consumers, makes the land more fertile, and especially reduces investment costs by 10-20% per crop. As for the output, the fruit is guaranteed by Quế Lâm Group, purchased at prices 20-30% higher than the outside market.

“From 4,500m2 of traditional watermelon cultivation, once I received support for organic fertilizers and technical guidance from Quế Lâm Group to meet standards and get products onto the shelves of high-end stores, I expanded the area to 7,500m2. With this area, the harvest yield is estimated at over 22 tons/crop, and after costs, the profit is more than 150 million VND. With 3 crops per year, my total estimated profit is over 450 million VND,” Mr. Út added.

Orientations for maintaining quality and expanding partnerships

Mr. Võ Quốc Hào, Deputy Head of the Economic Office of Trần Đề Commune, stated that Mỏ Ó watermelons, especially those grown organically, have a high fruit-setting rate, stable weight, beautiful red flesh, high sweetness, and a 70% reduction in pests thanks to organic microorganisms. The department recommends that farmers strictly maintain organic cultivation processes to reduce investment costs and always ensure the best quality when supplying to the market.

According to Mr. Hào, the locality will continue to encourage farmers to join the Cooperative to increase the cultivation area and harvest yield with uniform quality, thereby calling on companies and enterprises to link up for guaranteed output and price stability for farmers.