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.

In 2017, they built two net houses and began cultivating melons on a 2,000m² plot. Initially, they learned through trial and error, improving their skills along the way.

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.

Today, the entire farm operates with advanced technology. Melons are grown in greenhouses using coconut coir as a growing medium, Israeli drip irrigation systems, and agricultural film to regulate temperature, reduce pests, and optimize growth.

Ut follows international standards, including automated watering, integrated pest management (IPM), clean water filtered through modern systems, and organic microbial fertilizers. This ensures healthy, uniform fruit suitable for export.

“To grow perfect melons, we monitor everything from soil pH (ideally 6 to 6.8), sowing time, irrigation levels, and even hand-pollination to guarantee yield. We use moisture sensors and smartphone tracking to adjust quickly, saving costs and protecting the environment,” she explained.

Beyond selling fresh fruit, Ut’s cooperative also partners with the High-Tech Agricultural Zone Management Board of Hau Giang (former) to process value-added products like cantaloupe wine and dried melon.

By June 2024, her cantaloupe wine had achieved a 4-star district-level OCOP rating. The cooperative is now researching juices and pickled melons to expand processing and maximize raw material use.

With 12 net houses, Ut’s cooperative supplies 100–150 tons of cantaloupe to the market annually, priced between VND35,000–45,000 per kilogram (approximately $1.44–$1.85), depending on the season.

She is also developing agricultural eco-tourism, investing in homestays for guests to visit, harvest, and learn to process melon products.

“I’ve partnered with 5 to 10 other garden households to create a community-based tourism product that attracts visitors,” Ut shared.

Each year, her cooperative also welcomes 15–20 agriculture students for internships, offering hands-on training in farming techniques and production management. The model serves as an “outdoor classroom,” inspiring a new generation of green entrepreneurs.

Luong Van Tay, Chairman of the Dong Phuoc Commune People's Committee, said the locality is aiming to develop high-tech agriculture linked with eco-tourism.

“Ngoc Thanh Melon Cooperative is a shining example. We’ll continue investing in rural transportation infrastructure to expand the production area,” he said.