Good ways to prevent flooded communes in Nghe An from leaving summer-autumn fields fallow

At the beginning of the story about summer-autumn crop production in his commune, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Thanh - Secretary of the Thanh Xuan Commune Party Committee thoughtfully recalled: Previously, the beginning of the commune's political and economic reports always had the sentence "As a low-lying, flooded locality, only able to produce one crop per year" which became a "motif", and because of that "default" the lives of Thanh Xuan people encountered many difficulties.

Concerned with that situation, the Party Committee, government and mass organizations of Thanh Xuan commune have determined to overcome difficulties and obstacles to produce the summer-autumn crop, shifting production from self-sufficiency to commodity production.

Now the summer-autumn crop area in Thanh Xuan commune is gradually being closed with nearly 165 hectares, exceeding 170% of the district's plan. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In 2019, according to the summer-autumn crop production project, in addition to traditional cassava, corn, and bean crops in the highlands and 50 hectares of summer-autumn rice in favorable areas, the commune has determined to plant 3 hectares of rice in fields that have previously been left fallow and "dead" rice.

“No one wants to do it, because the early summer-autumn crop production has difficulty finding water, and when it is almost time to harvest, there are floods and waterlogging, and the risk of crop failure is higher than a good harvest. Therefore, the commune held a meeting and agreed to assign the Commune Farmers' Association to take on the "pioneering" role of planting summer-autumn rice. Accordingly, rice seeds and fertilizers are supported by 50% by the State, and the commune will connect with traders to buy fresh rice right in the fields after harvest. At the same time, the families of commune officials, mass organizations, and hamlet officials must set an example, take the lead in doing it for the people to follow. During the "seasonal farming" days, commune officials, in addition to their official duties, stay in the fields and urge production,” Mr. Nguyen Khanh Thanh added.

Low-lying fields, previously "defaulted" to grow one crop and leave the other fallow, are now all tilled and ready for planting. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In the 2019 summer-autumn crop, summer-autumn rice had a good harvest and good prices. The 3 hectares of Song Lam 9 rice planted on a trial basis yielded 130 tons, and the fresh rice price at the field was 4,800 VND/kg.

“It is not easy to produce summer-autumn rice because the surrounding fields are abandoned. To protect the rice, we have to put in concrete stakes and stretch barbed wire to prevent cattle from entering. At the same time, we have to actively stick to the fields because the surrounding fields do not allow harmful insects to invade the rice fields. It is hard work but we are determined to do it to the end because in addition to the economic goal, changing people's thinking is very important,” said Mr. Bui Van Dai - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Thanh Xuan commune.

Mechanization is maximized to save labor. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In the 2020 summer-autumn crop, another 3 hectares were expanded in Phu Lap field - the lowest and most sunken field in the commune. Fortunately, that summer-autumn crop had favorable weather, reasonable seed structure, and strict adherence to the crop schedule, so the rice crop was bountiful and completed before the flood.

Realizing that summer-autumn rice cultivation is not as "difficult" as it has long been "assumed", people gradually changed their perception. By the summer-autumn crop of 2021, the number of households registering to grow summer-autumn rice increased, from the initial 3ha trial to 17ha and by 2022, it had increased to 114ha, exceeding the district's planned target by 170%.

Farmers in Phu Lap hamlet build fences to prevent buffaloes and cows from destroying summer-autumn rice. Photo: Thanh Phuc

These days, in the flooded fields, Thanh Xuan commune cadres, with the core being the Farmers' Association, are actively working with the people to stick to the fields, build dikes to retain water, and tractors are working vigorously to sow the summer-autumn crop in time.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh To - Head of Phu Lap Hamlet said: "Previously, this entire 50ha field was left fallow during the summer-autumn crop, the rice was grazed by cattle and no one planted it. This year, people are actively working the land, building dams, and embankments to plant summer-autumn rice. The area planted in the summer-autumn crop has reached 85%. Many households, in addition to farming their own fields, also receive fields from other households for planting. Like me, my family's field is only 3 sao, I receive nearly 1 mau from households that are not producing to do the summer-autumn crop.

High-quality rice varieties are put into production in the summer-autumn crop to increase productivity and economic value. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Last year’s summer-autumn crop cost 6 million VND and brought in nearly 15 million VND. In addition to economic efficiency, the most important thing is that the summer-autumn crop helps improve the ecology and environment of the village; improve the soil, and limit pests and diseases for the spring crop.

In the 2023 summer-autumn crop, the district assigned Thanh Xuan commune the target of 100 hectares of rice. Up to now, the area that people have cultivated has reached 165 hectares. In addition to rice, on the highland areas, the commune has directed people to grow squash, cassava, and beans.

Thanh Xuan commune leaders stick to the fields, direct irrigation improvements for successful summer-autumn crop production. Photo: Thanh Phuc

The most important thing is that not only has the area been closed, but people have also changed their production mindset, from haphazard production, self-sufficiency, to commodity production, bringing high-yield, high-quality varieties to the fields; growing valuable crops, according to market demand and having links with small traders and businesses that purchase products.