The winter crop season has become the main production season of the year in Nghe An province, yielding many positive results. In the 2021 winter crop season alone, the province's winter crop production value reached over 1,800 billion VND. Many high-value winter crop production models have been replicated, and most farmers eagerly anticipate the winter season to actively invest in production, creating new products with added value.
In support of winter crop production, the Provincial People's Committee and district authorities have issued policies to assist farmers with seeds, fertilizers, and the installation of automatic sprinkler irrigation systems. Some districts have mobilized businesses to actively participate in the production, harvesting, and consumption of winter crops. For example, in Dien Phong commune, Dien Chau district, the potato model is considered the most effective winter crop in the area. For the past three years, one enterprise has guaranteed the purchase of all harvested potatoes at a pre-agreed price. This has enabled farmers in the commune to expand their potato cultivation area to 40 hectares. Similarly, successful models of garlic cultivation (Thanh Chuong) and asparagus cultivation (Nghia Dan, Thai Hoa) have brought new economic value.
The above results are certainly encouraging! But why does the author of the article call it "excitement"? Because, to date, although winter crop production is identified as the main production season, there are still many concerns. Winter crops face many difficulties due to weather, even risks from storms and natural disasters. For example, after the heavy rain for three days near the end of November 2022, many areas of crops and fruit trees suffered severe damage. In addition, many places still have shortcomings in directing and organizing production, and in finding stable markets for winter crop products. The most worrying aspect is product consumption.
Many people still remember that a few years ago, green squash from Thanh Lien commune (Thanh Chuong district) and some communes in Anh Son district were in high demand, with all production being bought up. However, since last year, green squash production has been unprofitable, and many households have switched to growing corn. The fundamental reason is that the price of this product has plummeted dramatically, yet there are few buyers, forcing farmers to call for "rescue" efforts. Clearly, the potential of land and the labor capacity of farmers today could produce many products during the "demanding" winter crop season. But the core issue of product distribution has not been thoroughly resolved, leaving the joy of winter crop production only "ambitious." Meanwhile, management, planning, market forecasting, and linkages between farmers and businesses are also weak points…
Article by: Nguyen Nguyen
Illustration photo: Thanh Phuc
