When farmers "break the rules" to plant seeds

(Baonghean) - This spring, in some localities such as Do Luong, Dien Chau, and Yen Thanh, many farmers still "broke the rules" and planted rice seedlings ahead of schedule.

According to the project "Organization of spring crop production in 2014" of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, spring begins in 2014 on February 4, 2014 (ie the 5th day of the Lunar New Year). On that basis, depending on the growing time of each variety and the actual conditions of the locality, the appropriate sowing and planting season should be arranged according to the principle of ensuring that the rice differentiates into panicles and blooms in suitable weather. Based on the growing time of each variety, the sowing and planting schedule should be arranged to ensure that the spring rice blooms from April 25 to May 5; Absolutely do not plant early to avoid the rice blooming in the cold at the end of the season.

However, in reality, many local farmers have disregarded the crop calendar and planted seedlings more than 20 days earlier. For example, in Yen Thanh communes, Khanh Thanh, Lien Thanh, Cong Thanh, Dien Chau district including Dien Thai, Dien Dong communes... as early as the 16th (lunar calendar) before Tet, people went to the fields, and around January 20-22, they basically finished planting. On the right crop calendar on February 4, 2014 (ie the 5th day of the Lunar New Year), in these localities, the rice fields were already green. When going to the fields to ask people, many people answered innocently: "Planting early to enjoy spring and welcome Tet".

When asked about the local authorities of some communes why people were allowed to plant early according to the crop calendar, the commune leaders explained: The commune has implemented the crop calendar of the Agriculture sector and recommended that people plant on schedule to reduce risks in production, but people still do not comply. The reason is that people here have the habit of cultivating according to local customs. In Do Luong district, most of the planned areas for planting over 60% of the 2014 spring rice area, people are racing to sow and plant. According to the confession of a Hamlet Chief in Yen Son commune - Do Luong, for a long time, people in Do Luong often sow and plant rice, sowing and planting rice is strong, saving labor and effort for planting and harvesting.

The failure to follow the crop calendar, along with the adverse weather conditions, has caused significant damage to the people, as is clear to everyone. For example, in the spring of 2011 and 2012 in Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, and Do Luong, many rice fields bloomed during the cold season, causing the grains to be squished, causing heavy damage to farmers. In 2013, the whole province restructured 8,000 hectares of BC15 variety, of which 5,000 hectares suffered heavy damage due to the "cold-sensitive" rice variety. Farmers did not follow the crop calendar, allowing this rice variety to bloom during the cold season, so they had to suffer the consequences.

Some local officials, despite being warned, have not increased supervision and guidance on production. Meanwhile, farmers continue to do things their own way, not following the crop calendar.

Vuong Tran