Transforming flood-prone land into a high-tech cucumber farm

Nguyen Tien Quan was born and raised in a flood-prone rural area along the La River in Yen My hamlet (Duc Minh commune, Ha Tinh province). Witnessing local farmers work tirelessly year after year while often earning little from their harvests, he became determined to develop a farming model that could apply modern technology to production and better withstand disasters.

Turning ideas into action, Quan began land preparation and planted Thai cucumber varieties across the entire three-hectare area in early April 2026. A synchronized trellis system was installed throughout the farm, while plastic mulch was laid beneath the crop rows to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce pest and disease pressure. Most notably, the entire production area was equipped with an automated drip irrigation system, supplying water and nutrients in accordance with each stage of plant growth.

“Previously, this area was mainly used for cassava cultivation, but productivity was low because of frequent flooding. After studying high-tech agricultural models in different regions, I realized cucumbers were well-suited to the local soil conditions and market demand. That convinced me to invest nearly VND 900 million in transforming the production system,” he said.

This is the first large-scale organic-oriented cucumber farming model implemented in the locality, designed to apply technological advances with the aim of improving production efficiency. A key feature of the model is the integrated application of modern technologies throughout the cultivation process. The automated drip irrigation system delivers water and fertilizer directly to each plant at precisely controlled rates, ensuring uniform growth while reducing water loss and significantly lowering labor costs.

The farm also prioritizes the use of organic fertilizers and minimizes the application of chemicals in order to produce safer food for consumers. “Traditional farming required hiring many workers for irrigation and fertilization. Now, most of these tasks are automated, greatly reducing production costs. It is more important to note that the plants grow consistently, suffer fewer pest problems, and produce more uniform fruit,” Quan said.

The cucumber farm is currently in the harvesting stage, providing the market with 3 - 3.5 tons per day. After harvest, the cucumbers are sorted and packed directly at the farm before being transported to distribution points both inside and outside the province.

Thanks to having consistent quality, attractive appearance, and an organic-oriented production process, the cucumbers are purchased by traders at prices ranging from VND 8,000 to VND 9,000 per kilogram. At peak demand periods, harvested volumes have been insufficient to meet market needs.

According to Nguyen Sy Hung, an agricultural trader from Nghe An province, the cucumbers produced on Quan’s farm are carefully managed, with uniform shape and size, crisp texture, and sweet flavor, making them highly popular among customers. “I currently purchase around 3 to 4 tons of cucumbers every day to supply wholesale markets,” he said.

Beyond its economic benefits, the model also creates regular employment opportunities for local residents. During peak harvest periods, dozens of workers are hired for harvesting, sorting, and transporting cucumbers, earning approximately VND 300,000 per day.

Local authorities consider Nguyen Tien Quan’s model an effective approach, as the agricultural sector increasingly promotes green production, high-tech applications, and value-added agricultural development.

Tran Thanh Sang, Head of the Economic Department of Duc Minh commune, said, “Quan’s high-tech, organic-oriented cucumber farming model has achieved encouraging results in terms of productivity, quality, and market access. It is a representative example of crop restructuring in the locality and contributes to changing farmers’ production mindsets toward a more modern and sustainable direction.”

From land that once delivered poor returns, the lush green cucumber fields along the La River are now creating opportunities to replicate high-tech agricultural models across Ha Tinh Province. Nguyen Tien Quan’s early success is contributing to local efforts to implement low-emission crop production programs while gradually improving farmers’ incomes and strengthening climate resilience.

*$ 1 = VND 26,408. Source: Vietcombank.