The self-operating water wheel system in Nghe An effectively combats drought.

(Baonghean.vn) - The bamboo and reed water wheels, operating day and night, are bringing water to the rice fields, helping to keep the rice paddies in the remote commune of Binh Chuan - Con Cuong (Nghe An province) always lush and green.

In the spring of 2016, Binh Chuan commune planted 147 hectares of rice, but the irrigation canal system was only sufficient to irrigate about 70 hectares, leaving the remaining area at risk of drought. Faced with this situation, the commune authorities mobilized the people to dredge the canals and simultaneously employed the traditional local method of using self-operated water wheels to bring water to the fields.

Farmers in many localities in Con Cuong district, such as Lang Khe and Don Phuc, use water wheels to combat drought for their rice crops.

Currently, the entire commune has over 200 waterwheels built and invested in by the local people themselves. These waterwheels are proving to be very effective and have become a beautiful feature in the agricultural culture of the ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas of Con Cuong district in particular.

According to Kha Van Vien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Chuan commune: "The main materials for making water wheels are bamboo, reeds, and wood - all readily available locally. Usually, about 2-4 households in the village share the work of making 1 to 2 water wheels to bring water to the fields. This is a traditional method that has existed for a long time and is still maintained by the people in the commune today."

Not only in Binh Chuan, but now farmers in many localities in Con Cuong district such as Lang Khe, Don Phuc... are also using this method to combat drought for rice crops.

Minh Hanh

Con Cuong Radio