Over 200 tons of watermelon left to rot due to 'unmet yield commitments'

A dispute between farmers and traders over actual yield has left over 200 tons of watermelon to rot in fields in Ia Mo commune.

Hundreds of tons of watermelon are rotting and wilting in Ia Mo commune, many becoming feed for buffalo and cattle. This significant loss stems from a contract dispute between farmers and traders regarding the expected yield. Farm owners had projected a harvest of approximately 1,250 tons, with individual watermelons weighing 4-6 kg and an anticipated yield of 2,5 tons per sao (500 square meters).

The conflict began in 11/2025 when Lam Van Sau and his family rented nearly 25 hectares of land, equivalent to about 500 sao, in Ia Mo commune. Their investment for land rental, seeds, and over three months of cultivation to grow watermelons for Tet (Lunar New Year) sales amounted to approximately 4 billion VND.

Watermelons abandoned across the fields. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

On 13/12/2025, a handwritten agreement was signed with trader Tran Thi Nhung, representing a group of buyers. The agreement set a price of 17 million VND per sao, with "no negotiation on price". The total purchase value for the entire field was approximately 8,5 billion VND, with a 7,5 billion VND deposit already transferred by the traders.

However, about one month after the agreement, the buyers raised concerns, claiming the actual yield was only about 500 kg per sao, significantly lower than the promised 2,5 tons per sao. They proposed changing the agreement from a lump-sum purchase to a per-kilogram basis, at 5.000 VND per kg. The farmers, citing their substantial investment and the signed contract, refused this renegotiation. "We had invested about 4 billion VND for land rental, seeds, and over three months of care, so we must adhere to the signed agreement," Sau stated.

Rotting, withered watermelons have become feed for buffalo and cattle. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Meanwhile, Nhung asserted that at the time of the commitment, the watermelons were only budding, yet the growers promised a yield of 2,5 tons per sao, while the actual yield was only about 500 kg. "We contacted them multiple times to negotiate, but the farmers were uncooperative," she said.

By 1/2026, as the watermelons reached harvest maturity, both parties remained deadlocked, unable to agree on a revised buying and selling plan. This impasse led to hundreds of tons of ripe watermelons being abandoned in the fields, left to spoil.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, Vice Chairman of the Ia Mo Commune People's Committee, confirmed that local authorities intervened, inviting both sides for discussions since 28/1. However, the buyers' repeated absence prevented any mediation. "Given the significant disputed amount and its connection to a sales contract, the local authorities have advised the parties to file a lawsuit in court for resolution," he said.