For a successful summer-autumn rice crop!

(Baonghean) - Having a successful summer-autumn rice crop is the desire of all farmers. In previous summer-autumn crops, the main reason for a successful harvest was that the spring rice was harvested early in the year so that the summer-autumn rice could be planted on time. At the same time, the weather at the beginning of the planting season was favorable, there was no drought, and at the end of the harvest season there was no heavy rain or strong wind that affected the production results.

This year's summer-autumn production in our province is facing difficulties and challenges that need to be assessed in advance to have solutions to overcome. Because the air temperature at the beginning of the spring rice crop this year was too low (from 160C or below), the sky was cloudy, lacking light for nearly 50 days and nights, so the growth period of the rice plants was prolonged, leading to the consequence that most of the spring rice area had to be harvested later than normal years by at least 5-7 days and in some places by more or less 10 days, this is a major obstacle that delays the planting season of this year's summer-autumn crop in our province.

In addition, this year's summer-autumn crop is likely to experience drought. Because the rainfall in our province in recent months has been negligible. Therefore, the amount of water stored in 625 large and small dams in the province has decreased significantly compared to the design level. Meanwhile, the water source on rivers and streams, especially Lam River and Hieu River, has dropped below the lowest level due to no rain and the amount of water from upstream is being retained by hydroelectric dams to generate electricity. If there is no regulation between hydroelectricity and water sources serving agricultural production (SXNN) in the electric pumping area along Lam River, Hieu River and the self-flowing irrigation area of ​​the Do Luong ba ra system, it will be greatly affected. Along with that, the flood and storm season in our province will begin to appear after September 10 every year and last until early November before gradually decreasing. Therefore, choosing short-term rice varieties and early planting season is very decisive to the success of this summer-autumn rice crop.

Farmers in Bac Thanh commune check the yield of new rice varieties in the field. Photo: Ho Cac

To cope with and avoid the above-mentioned major difficulties and challenges, we need to implement well the following main solutions:

First: Water must be managed and used very economically. The possibility of a major drought in the summer-autumn crop this year is certain. Currently, the winter-spring rice crop has been harvested, so it is no longer necessary to open the sluice gates to release water, but to close the sluice gates to retain water. Retain water in the fields to have enough water to sow rice in time for the season. Absolutely avoid draining the fields dry before harvest. Each locality needs to take advantage of dredging canals and preparing all means to fight drought and prevent salinity that is very likely to occur, especially in areas irrigated by electric pumps and areas near coastal estuaries.

Second: Because the implementation of the summer-autumn rice crop this year may be slower than usual, production facilities need to direct farmers to take advantage of the time to transport manure to the fields before harvesting rice. At the same time, it is necessary to have a plan to buy enough fertilizers and rice seeds early to proactively sow rice seedlings and have enough fertilizer before going to the fields to plant rice.

Third: Only short-term rice varieties should be planted, with a growth period of 100 days or less.

The summer-autumn rice crop is a crop that avoids floods and storms, and only by avoiding floods and storms can one be sure of a full harvest. Therefore, one should only plant rice varieties with a shorter growing period to ensure a more secure harvest.

From the orientation of rice variety structure of the agricultural sector, farmers and production facilities should select 1-2 varieties for a household and 2-3 varieties for a production facility for planting.

Fourth: Take the initiative to sow rice as early as possible. To sow rice seedlings for this year's summer-autumn rice crop, farmers should look at the rice flowers of the spring crop. If they see that the rice flowers are in the firm, green-yellow stage, they should sow rice seedlings to harvest the spring rice and prepare the land for planting the summer-autumn rice immediately.

Fifth: Sowing (direct seeding) should not be done in the summer-autumn crop, especially in years when spring rice must be harvested late. Sowing has the advantage of being quicker than sowing seedlings for transplanting. However, sowing has three major disadvantages: sowing will delay the growth period of the rice plant, making it difficult to avoid floods and storms, so it is easy to lose crops. Sowing will cause water waste, causing water loss due to having to drain water for sowing. Meanwhile, we need to save water to prevent drought. Sowing cannot ensure uniform rice density on a unit area. There will be some areas that are thick, some areas that are thin, and it is very difficult to care for, weed, fertilize and prevent pests, especially brown planthoppers.

Doan Tri Tue