(Baonghean.vn) - Sowing rice directly on dry sandy soil might seem strange, but this has been the long-standing practice of farmers in the communes.Nghi Thach, Nghi Phong, Nghi Xuan, Nghi Thinh, Nghi Trung, Nghi Truong (Nghi Loc). After each rain, as long as the soil is moist, the people go down to the fields to sow rice.

Farmers in Nghi Thinh commune prepare the land using machines, then harrow the fields to make them flat and smooth for sowing rice.

With only two harvests per year—a winter-spring corn crop and a dry rice crop—families in sandy soil areas eagerly await the summer rains. Ms. Le Thi Ba, from Hamlet 4, Nghi Thinh Commune (Nghi Loc District), said: "This year, my family cultivated 6 sao (approximately 0.6 hectares) of rice. However, like many other families, I had to sow rice on dry sandy soil to ensure timely planting and avoid flooding, and I need rain for the seeds to germinate."

By using this method, her family doesn't have to prepare the seedlings themselves; they only need to soak the seeds for two days and two nights, then sow them directly on dry, well-plowed land. This method requires rice varieties that are resistant to harsh weather conditions and must be replanted when the seedlings turn green.

Farmers in Nghi Thach prepare the land for rice planting.

According to farmers who grow rice in dry fields: To achieve a high germination rate, land preparation is the most important step. The soil must be thoroughly prepared, with plenty of manure added. Then, the field is harrowed to a smooth, even, and moist state. After sowing the seeds, the farmers continue to use the harrow to cover them. Once the rice seedlings germinate, if the weather is favorable and there is rain, the farmers begin thinning, caring for, and weeding the plants.

According to Ms. Le Thi Ba's family in Hamlet 4, Nghi Thinh Commune (Nghi Loc District): This year, her family cultivated 6 sao (approximately 0.6 hectares) of rice on sandy soil.

Rice cultivation on dry fields in Nghi Loc district is mainly concentrated in the communes of Nghi Thach, Nghi Phong, Nghi Xuan, Nghi Thinh, Nghi Trung, and Nghi Truong. The main varieties grown are purebred rice varieties suitable to the local climate and soil conditions, such as Khang Dan 18, Khang Dan mutant, Nghe An purebred rice, HN6, Thien Uu 8, and I30.

Due to drought, Nghi Loc district only managed to cultivate 1,987 out of 4,000 hectares this year. Of this, 800 hectares were cultivated using dryland methods. These are communes with sandy soil and no irrigation systems. Mr. Dong Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Nghi Loc district, stated: Farmers cultivated rice using dryland methods. Although yields were lower compared to wet rice cultivation, it avoided the problem of abandoned fields like in some other localities and provided a significant food supply for families. The yield of dryland rice is estimated at only 2 tons/hectare.

In some places, the dry rice plants have turned green.

Thu Hien - Ngoc Mai

(Nghi Loc Radio Station)