Dong Cao is about 20km from the center of Son Dong district, about 120km from Hanoi. Dong Cao still retains its wild features Around Dong Cao are beautiful mountains and ethnic villages creating a poetic and magnificent scene Besides the wild and poetic landscape, Dong Cao is also associated with myths and legends bearing spiritual colors. According to some local people, there is a King’s cave associated with the story of three talented generals of the Ly dynasty discussing about the army fighting against the Song. The people here consider the King’s cave as a sacred relic in the sacred forest. They also set up a temple to worship the 3 kings, enhancing the spiritual beauty of the ecological zone. Dong Cao has a cool and fresh climate, suitable for ecotourism Many people refer to Dong Cao as “sleeping princess” because the tourism potential here has not been adequately exploited. According to Son Dong district authorities, the area of ​​Dong Cao plateau is up to thousands of hectares, bordering Lang Son province. On the large grassland of Dong Cao there are big rocks with strange shapes With a large meadow, visitors can camp, spend the night, enjoy the fresh and pleasant atmosphere in Dong Cao and watch the surrounding mountains. The green grass hills in Dong Cao also attract tourists by the ancient rocky beaches scattered with strange shapes. Along with the beautiful natural scenery, Dong Cao is also home to the Dao, Nung, Cao Lan … with many cultural features. Dong Cao is a steppe with an area of ​​thousands of hectares bordering Lang Son province In 2016, the inter-commune road through Dong Cao was poured with concrete to facilitate travel. Bac Giang province is advocating to promote tourism development in Dong Cao area. The large grassland in Dong Cao is suitable for camping overnight Mr. Wei Van Tuyen – Secretary of Son Dong district, said that Dong Cao is also adjacent to the primary forest of Khe Ro, so it is very convenient for tourism development, especially adventure tourism and community. Dong Cao – Khe Ro area was proposed by Bac Giang province to establish a national-level tourist area.

This time is in the season of pumpkin harvest, although it has a high yield, from 1.5 to 2 tons / ha, however, compared to the previous time, the current price of squash is very low. Previously, each kilogram of pumpkin people sold in the field was priced from 10,000-15,000 VND / kg depending on the quality but only 3,000-5,000 VND / kg.

Due to the low price of pumpkins, people only dare to harvest in moderation. Photo: Tien Dong

Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang’s house, Hoi Lam hamlet, Cam Son commune, this year planted more than 3 sao of pumpkin, although it did not take too much care, but like other spring vegetables and fruits, this year squash the price is very low, only 3,000 VND / kg. Sometimes even lower, traders try to force prices, so people only harvest small.

For each pumpkin pole, the cost of seed and fertilizer costs nearly 1 million VND, not to mention the care and hiring of the harvester. Currently, due to the low price of pumpkins, farmers face many difficulties. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Hoang Manh Ha, chief hamlet of Hoi Lam hamlet, Cam Son commune, said: The whole village of Hoi Lam has about 50 pumpkin growers, this is a highly productive pumpkin variety, the time from planting to harvest is 3. month. Mr. Ha’s family also produces 3 sao, the cost of seed and fertilizer for each pole is nearly 1 million VND, not including the care for 3 months and the cost of hiring the harvester. If the price of squash is stable, each pole also gives an income of nearly 10 million VND. However, recently, the low price of squash makes farmers very difficult.

Mr. Ha said that, due to the longer time for pumpkins to stay in the field than other crops, when the price of pumpkins is low, farmers can harvest them in moderation to wait for higher prices.

People have finished harvesting pumpkins and gathered along National Highway 7A. After that, traders will come to buy them. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Dang Dinh Luan – Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Anh Son district said: Usually at the beginning of each crop, the purchasing establishments still ask about signing offtake contracts with farmers, but due to low contract prices. Therefore, people do not agree but accept the market price.

Regarding the planning issue, Mr. Luan said that the district also now has a plan for vegetable growing areas on the land, and regularly provides technical guidance to farmers, thereby gradually improving production efficiency. bring higher income on the same area than before.