High-tech melon cultivation on white sand

At 27 years old, Tran Dinh Quynh was born in Dan Dien commune (Hue City), a rural area surrounded by white sand where life was difficult. That is why the young man always cherished the idea of developing an agricultural model in his hometown.

After graduating from a construction college, Quynh took on temporary contracts for various projects in the area and earned a stable income. The turning point came in early 2023 when Quynh traveled to the South. There, he visited melon cultivation models in greenhouses, and from that moment, his life entered a new chapter.

“My hometown has abundant white sand resources that are left unused, combined with hot weather, so I thought melon cultivation would be the most suitable. My dream of starting a business was about to come true,” Quynh shared.

Quynh began learning melon cultivation techniques and joined farming groups. Through the connection of local youth unions, he received financial support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thua Thien Hue Province (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City) to build greenhouses and invest in farm facilities. In particular, the FMCR Project in Hue accompanied him and provided investment for the melon cultivation model. By early 2024, Quynh had completed a high-tech melon cultivation system spanning over 2 hectares, with two farms operating under the name Quynh Huong Farm.

Quynh invested in machinery and spent much time researching markets and connecting with supermarkets and clean agricultural stores. His goal was not only production but also building a reputable brand so that his hometown products would secure a long-term position.

Quynh’s melons originate from Japan, using the high-quality Ichiba variety. His cultivation process applies Israeli technology with drip irrigation, automatic fertilization, and sweetness measurement machines. Importantly, the entire farming process follows VietGAP standards and even incorporates organic practices to minimize pests, ensuring clean and safe products.

After experiencing the product, many customers highly appreciated the sweetness and distinctive flavor of Quynh Huong Farm’s melons, noting that they could compete with imported products. This encouraged him to sign contracts to supply clean agricultural store chains confidently.

“At the beginning, I faced many difficulties, especially with limited experience and finding market outlets. In the first stage, melons kept too long lost their crispness and could not be sold. Many times I felt like giving up and starting over,” Quynh said.

He recalled nights staying awake to search for materials, learning how to adjust humidity and temperature in the greenhouses. At first, his family was worried, but gradually, as they saw results, they trusted and fully supported him.

Nowadays, Quynh’s melon cultivation model on white sand has stabilized. Each year, the farm harvests 2–3 crops, each yielding about 8 tons with more than 4,200 fruits, generating average profits of over VND 100 million. In addition, Quynh uses the facilities to grow chili and cucumbers off-season during the cold rainy period, which increases his income. Many people from inside and outside the area have visited his farm to learn.

“The melon crop suits the local climate, giving high yields and helping me secure financial stability. It also creates more jobs for local people working on the farm. I enjoy my current work. In the future, I will continue learning about agricultural models in general and modern melon cultivation in particular, seeking opportunities to expand the farm and study new crop varieties. I am also ready to share experiences with anyone who shares the same passion for melon farming,” Quynh said.

Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Chairman of Dan Dien Commune People’s Committee, said that Quynh’s melon cultivation model is one of the typical examples in the locality, from entrepreneurship to applying science and technology in agricultural production. This approach also matches local climate and soil conditions, opening prospects for sustainable rural economic development.

“The commune highly appreciates this model and hopes that in the future more young people and farmers will boldly start businesses and develop effective economic models. The commune will also direct related agencies to support local farmers in product consumption and promote livestream sales on social media platforms,” Tien said.