When the rice plants are green

Song in the fields

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thich is known as the “most rice farmer” in Ich Hau commune (Thach Ha). Over the past month, his entire family has almost “moved” to the fields. From bamboo beds, tents, drinking water, electrical outlets to pumps, plows… everything has followed him during the days of “eating and sleeping” with the rice fields. Looking at the way he takes care of each field, his hands working quickly without stopping, we can see that his love for the fields and rice grains has been ingrained in his blood and flesh since a long time ago.

Despite many hardships in summer-autumn crop production, Ha Tinh farmers still persevere in their land and fields with the hope of a successful summer-autumn crop.

Pointing to the rice fields that have begun to turn green, Mr. Thich said: “This year, the spring harvest was slow, so the seasonal pressure was even greater. When it was time to start sowing the summer-autumn crop, it rained heavily, some areas had to be re-sown, facing many difficulties. However, having worked in the fields for many years, I always believe that as long as we take care of them and invest properly, the land will not fail us.” He also shared: For many years, on average, his family has harvested more than 45 tons of rice per crop, enough to cover their living expenses and reinvest for the next season.

Mr. Duong Cong Kieu (Dong Thanh residential group, Dong Mon ward, Ha Tinh city) on his family's tractor.

As for Mr. Duong Cong Kieu (Dong Thanh residential group, Dong Mon ward, Ha Tinh city), the days of witnessing more than 7 hectares of rice starting to grow green were both a difficult and hopeful time. The spring crop suffered heavy losses due to unusual rains and floods, but he persevered in sowing seeds for the new crop, placing his faith and love for the land in each field. In this man, we always see perseverance, determination, and readiness to overcome all difficulties to light up the hope of a golden season. Mr. Kieu smiled broadly: “If we calculate according to the crop calendar compared to last year, this year the planting was nearly 10 days late, but now the rice has taken root and grown 3-4 cotyledons. If the spring crop is lost, we will continue to grow the summer-autumn crop. We are used to the difficulties of growing rice in this sunny and rainy area.”

Ha Tinh farmers apply drones in spraying pesticides to prevent and control pests.

Adapting to climate change

During the summer-autumn crop season, extreme weather conditions continued to occur in Ha Tinh, with unusually heavy rains, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning and unpredictable short floods, causing much damage to the people. In addition, storms and tropical depressions are expected to operate at a level similar to the average of many years, but there is still a potential risk of storms making landfall directly in the area. These unusual developments pose great challenges to disaster prevention and response to climate change, and localities and farmers must be more proactive in their production plans.

During the summer-autumn crop, farmers always try to proactively plant "a day or so early".

We returned to the rice production area of Ky Trinh ward (Ky Anh town) - where 60 hectares were damaged by heavy rains more than 2 weeks ago, the new green rice has begun to cover many fields. Ms. Tran Thi Lanh (Ky Trinh ward, Ky Anh town) shared: “Foreseeing that heavy rains due to the impact of storm No. 1 would damage some rice areas, I proactively soaked new seeds. After the rain stopped, having seeds made it much faster to do it again. But farming always has to “look to the sky”, we just hope for favorable weather so that this crop will continue to be successful”.

For people in communes outside the dyke of Duc Tho district such as Tan Dan, Bui La Nhan, Quang Vinh..., summer-autumn production is always proactive "a day early or a thing". People enter production with the mindset of sticking to the fields, completing early before the general crop schedule. Therefore, when other localities have just grown green rice, people here have already started pruning and fertilizing the first time.

Ms. Phan Thi Hanh (Dong Vinh village, Tan Dan commune) said: “Because the area is “flood-free”, I chose to grow the short-term variety BT09 so that I can harvest early. Thanks to the natural rainwater source, the rice does not have to face drought and grows very quickly. We focus on pruning according to the recommended density and fertilizing so that the plants can grow well.”

Farmers need to follow the principle of fertilizing "heavy at the beginning, light at the end".

In a production season with many potential risks and seasonal pressures, large fields with synchronous infrastructure thanks to land accumulation have created conditions for farmers to complete the sowing stage early, proactively regulate water, and focus on care. The large model field of nearly 60 hectares in Phu Minh village (Ky Phu commune, Ky Anh district) stretches out in green.

Mr. Hoang Minh Luyen - Head of Phu Minh village said: “In 2023, carrying out a major revolution in the fields according to Resolution 06-NQ/TU of the province, the village has focused on land consolidation, forming a large model field of nearly 60 hectares, prioritizing the development of organic rice production models, VietGAP. To win against the "heavens", we try to proactively sow the same crop, the same variety, and invest in building a convenient irrigation system. The rice is growing well, people expect a successful crop".

Many production areas in Duc Tho, Can Loc, Thach Ha districts,... are entering the stage of pruning and caring for summer-autumn rice.

This summer-autumn crop, the whole province planted over 45,170 hectares. The rice has turned green, which is also the time when farmers are busy preparing to start caring for, fertilizing, and preventing pests and diseases so that the rice can grow and tiller healthily.

Mr. Nguyen Tong Phong - Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Livestock said: “At this time, pests begin to appear irregularly. Some typical species are small leaf rollers, brown planthoppers, white-backed planthoppers, bacterial leaf blight; in addition, there is a potential risk of black-striped dwarf disease and mobile yellow leaf disease on rice. These pests can arise and cause harm, directly affecting crop yield and output. To protect the results of planting, localities should closely follow the fields and guide farmers on appropriate care measures for each growth stage. In particular, it is necessary to adhere to the principle of fertilizing "heavy at the beginning, light at the end", balance macronutrients with micronutrients, prioritize the use of specialized NPK fertilizers, limit single fertilizers, and supplement organic and microbial fertilizers. In addition, it is necessary to take advantage of agricultural by-products and green manure plants to produce organic fertilizers, improve soil, and maintain fertility".

Ha Tinh enters the summer-autumn crop season in a context where the whole country is facing many unusual weather fluctuations. Agricultural production has many potential risks, but it is also a measure of how farmers and authorities at all levels respond to climate change. The spirit of overcoming difficulties and the knowledge and experience gained from facing storms and floods of farmers have fueled a hopeful summer-autumn crop. When the green color of young rice has spread across the fields, it is also the time when the plants begin to bring confidence to the sowers. The summer-autumn rice planting season has basically ended, which is also the time when farmers and all levels and sectors expect a golden crop - following the successful spring crop; thereby firmly believing in the agricultural sector's growth target of 2.8% in 2025.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/khi-cay-lua-len-xanh-post290339.html