An Hoa: Initial results from the model of using tarpaulins on crystallization ponds.
An Hoa (Quynh Luu district) has 140 hectares of salt production area, with 1,200 households involved. In recent years, salt production has faced many difficulties, constantly encountering the paradox of bumper harvests leading to low prices, and high prices coinciding with poor harvests. Recently, thanks to the implementation of a production model using tarpaulins on crystallization ponds, the results have been clearly positive.
(Baonghean.vn) -An Hoa (Quynh Luu district) has 140 hectares of salt production area, with 1,200 households involved. In recent years, salt production has faced many difficulties, constantly encountering the paradox of bumper harvests leading to low prices, and high prices coinciding with poor harvests. Recently, thanks to the implementation of a production model using tarpaulins on crystallization ponds, the results have been clearly positive.
2012 was a very exciting year for salt farmers, with the highest salt production ever, reaching 19,500 tons for the entire commune. With an average price of 1,600-1,800 VND/kg, the average per capita income reached 8,500,000 VND/person/5 months of the main production season, and the lives of salt farmers have improved significantly.
Salt farmers dry sand to produce salt. Photo by Thu Huong.
Entering 2013, right from the beginning of the year, the People's Committee of the commune focused on directing salt farmers to invest in repairing salt pans and canals for drying sand, launching a movement to build irrigation and transportation infrastructure, and encouraging people to move improved filtering equipment to drying yards to reduce labor and allow workers to switch to other occupations. In particular, the People's Committee organized a visit for salt farmers to observe a model of using tarpaulins on crystallization ponds in Dien Van commune (Dien Chau district). After the visit, the People's Committee held a meeting and implemented a model applying scientific and technological advancements to production, piloting it in three villages: Tan Thinh, Tan An, and Tan Thang, with an area of 3000m2, with a support of 50,000 VND/m2 (funding from Decision No. 09/QD-UBND dated February 4, 2012, of the People's Committee of Nghe An province).
Immediately after adopting this model, the results were significantly better than the old production method. Mr. Pham Ngoc Lap (Tan Thinh village) and Mr. Bui Xuan Dien (Tan Thang village) are exemplary households leading the way in applying the model. They reported that the productivity of the new production model is 30% higher than that of conventional salt pans, the salt is cleaner and whiter, and the price is 3-4 times higher than that of raw salt production. Meanwhile, production is easier; even with less sunshine, there is still salt to harvest. Therefore, the salt farmers participating in the model are very enthusiastic.
According to the leaders of An Hoa commune, the People's Committee will hold a preliminary review and evaluation of the model at the end of the season and expand its application to a wider area. With initial results showing that the new model has yielded high productivity and product quality that is favored by the market, salt production in An Hoa commune is very promising and brings joy to salt farmers, contributing to the local economic growth.
Le Quyet - People's Committee of An Hoa Commune
