50% subsidy for seed costs for converting land used for rice cultivation to winter crop cultivation.

(Baonghean.vn) – Along with the policy of converting rice paddy land to other crops, many localities in Nghe An have mechanisms to support 50% of the seed costs for farmers planting winter crops.

» Policies to support farmers in "sticking" to winter crops

Many vegetable crops grown on double-cropped rice land in Nghi Loc have been harvested. (Photo: Hong Vinh)

*Nghi Loc converts 2,000 hectares of rice paddy land to vegetable crops for the winter season of 2016.

Along with 350 other households in Nghi Thuan commune, Mr. Le Cong Khoa's family in Hamlet 6 is delighted to harvest 2.5 sao (approximately 250 square meters) of various vegetables. He said: "This winter season, thanks to the encouragement of the commune and hamlet Party committees and authorities, my family converted nearly 1 sao of double-cropped rice land, which could not be used for summer-autumn production due to water shortages, to growing vegetables. After more than a month of implementation, my family has harvested two crops. On average, each sao yields an income of 4 to 5 million VND."

Due to the prolonged drought and lack of water, 190 hectares of summer-autumn rice in Nghi Kieu commune could not be cultivated. To compensate for some of the lost area, the commune People's Committee directed farmers to convert over 100 hectares of double-cropping rice land to winter corn production. In addition, with the provincial and district People's Committees providing support of 35,000 and 30,000 VND/kg of seeds, the commune also provided an additional 20,000 VND/kg. The total support for one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of corn grown on double-cropping rice land is 85,000 VND/kg of seed price.

Mobilizing machinery to prepare the land and plant high-value crops. (Photo: Thu Hien)

This winter, Nghi Loc district successfully encouraged farmers to convert over 2,000 hectares of rice land, which was not used for summer-autumn production due to drought, to other crops. The main crops grown are vegetables, corn, and shallots.

Mr. Dong Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Nghi Loc district, said: "According to the plan for the 2016 winter crop season, the district will plant nearly 4,300 hectares, including 2,900 hectares of winter corn, 900 hectares of vegetables, and 450 hectares of peanuts. To achieve success in terms of area, yield, and production of crops, the district has established a steering committee and working group to closely monitor localities; implemented many groups of solutions; and issued mechanisms and policies to focus on converting areas of land used for double-cropping rice in the summer-autumn season to winter crop production, prioritizing income per unit area."

* Anh Son District provides 50% subsidy for corn seeds.Over 800 hectares of winter crops are grown on land previously used for two rice crops.

This year, Anh Son district has cultivated 2,200 hectares of corn during the summer-autumn season. The main varieties grown are LVN61, DK6919, CP 333, and SSC2095, with an estimated yield of 50 quintals/hectare. The total estimated production is over 11,000 tons. Along with focusing on harvesting, farmers are preparing the land for planting winter corn, with the sowing season expected to be completed before October 30, 2016.

Immediately after harvesting the summer-autumn corn crop, farmers in Anh Son district begin preparing the land for planting the winter crop. (Photo: Thai Hien)

Mr. Do Ngoc Thuy's family in Hamlet 8, Hoi Son Commune, owns nearly 2 sao (approximately 2,000 square meters) of rice paddy land. In previous years, they often left the land fallow during the winter season. For the past two years, since the local government implemented a policy of planting corn on rice paddy land, after harvesting the summer-autumn rice crop, Mr. Thuy's family immediately begins preparing the land to plant corn. Planting corn on rice paddy land provides food for livestock, and also generates additional income; the corn stalks and leaves can also be used as animal feed during the winter.

For the 2016 winter crop season, the entire district aims to plant 3,500 hectares of winter corn, including 800 hectares of winter corn on double-cropped rice land. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dang, Head of the Agriculture Department of Anh Son district, said: To encourage people to plant winter corn on double-cropped rice land, the Anh Son District People's Committee has implemented a seed subsidy mechanism of 25,000 VND/sao (approximately 1000 square meters), and the Provincial People's Committee also has a policy of subsidizing 35,000 VND/sao for winter corn on double-cropped rice land.

For the winter crop season, farmers choose short-term crops with high economic value. (Photo: TH)

To accelerate the progress of winter crop production and ensure crop yields, the District People's Committee directed communes and towns to focus on guiding farmers on planting and caring methods to ensure the planned area, yield, and production. The entire political system, including the Steering Committee and working groups in villages, was mobilized to go to each household to encourage and diligently work in the fields to help the people. Cadres and Party members from the commune to the village level who own land were required to take the lead in farming, and timely rewards were given to collectives and individuals who completed their work early and exceeded the set targets.

Besides winter corn, this year Anh Son district directed localities to plant 290 hectares of various vegetables and legumes; 195 hectares of gourds and pumpkins, and 180 hectares of sweet potatoes to increase income per unit area.

Thu Hien - Hong Vinh - Thai Hien