Platform soldiers increase production

(Baonghean)At DK1 Platform, in addition to the food and dry goods provided, officers and soldiers also have to grow vegetables and raise livestock to improve their daily meals. They are taking control of their circumstances, being self-reliant and self-reliant to have an increasingly prosperous life, successfully completing their sacred duty of guarding the sky and protecting the sea.

Located precariously in the middle of the ocean, the DK1 Platforms are completely isolated from the outside world. The only connection between the mainland and the Platforms is the telephone and internet waves. Therefore, ensuring daily food for the Platform soldiers is not an easy task. In addition to the dry food rations and rice distributed by the ships every 2 months, the Platforms must increase their own production to improve meals for the soldiers. The first time stepping onto the Platform, witnessing the lush green vegetable patches, somewhere echoing the sound of chickens and pigs, it seemed as if they were on land. Only then did we know that Platform soldiers not only love life and fight well, but are also very capable.



DK1/15 Platform soldiers take care of the vegetable garden.

Growing vegetables on Platforms, where the climate is harsh and erratic, is not easy. Talking about the early days of experimenting with vegetable growing, Major Dau Dinh Phu, a key staff member of Platform DK1/9, said: Since 1992, Platforms have just begun to experiment with vegetable growing. Initially, vegetables were grown in wooden tubs, cow dung, red soil, and seeds were bought and transported from the mainland. Each house planted about 10 tubs. Due to lack of experience, combined with the harsh climate, the germination rate of seeds was low. Many times, when good vegetables were ready to eat, a gust of wind swept through and crushed all the leaves. At that time, Brigade 171 sent logistics officers to Platforms to instruct soldiers on how to grow vegetables, from how to prepare the soil, sow seeds, care for them, and cover them so that the vegetables could grow well. Gradually, through experience, every Platform has been able to "self-sufficiently" grow a portion of green vegetables in their daily meals.

Up to now, growing vegetables from wooden tubs has been replaced by composite materials (this material is more durable than other types in the seawater environment). Red soil is replaced by sandy soil, some Platforms are supported with microbial soil. After a batch of vegetables, the soil is taken out of the tubs, dried in the sun for 2 days before sowing seeds. But if you are not careful, that month, the Platform will not have green vegetables to eat. "Dangers" such as wind, rain, lack of irrigation water and even rats make Platform soldiers careful every little bit. Mr. Phu shared: Growing vegetables on the Platform must pay attention to the direction to have vegetables to eat. In the Northeast, the tubs must be placed in the Southwest direction and vice versa to avoid the wind. In addition, sacks must be used to cover the surrounding area so that the vegetables are not crushed. From January to May, the weather is more favorable but there is a lack of water for daily activities, making it difficult to take care of vegetables. To have water to irrigate vegetables, soldiers must save as much domestic water as possible.

Currently, small Platforms have about 60 vegetable beds. As for new generation Platforms such as DK1/14, DK1/15, due to their large area, they can place about 200 beds. Most types of vegetables are grown here such as water spinach, mustard greens, sweet potato greens, red amaranth, jute... Even aromatic herbs used as spices are grown. Lieutenant Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, Deputy Commander of Platform DK1/15, said: For old Platforms, due to the small number of beds, vegetables are only chopped and cooked into soup for 2 meals. But for new generation Platforms, sometimes there is a plate of stir-fried vegetables or boiled vegetables. On those days, it is like the whole Platform is having a party. In 2012, Platform DK1/15 grew 862 kg of various green vegetables, more than 100 liters of fish sauce, and 600 kg of bean sprouts.

Not only growing vegetables, the soldiers of the Platform also raise livestock. Every platform uses the bottom compartment to raise pigs, chickens, and ducks. The cages are designed with wooden bars, surrounded to avoid the wind. The main food is the by-products of the brothers' meals. Each day, the brothers' food money is 90,000 VND. They decided to take a part of that and ask to buy chickens and piglets on the mainland. Just like growing vegetables, raising livestock on the Platform is no different from playing a game of chance. Bringing in the breeds and choosing the breeds of animals that adapt to the weather in the middle of the vast ocean is the most difficult. Because just one poisonous wind can make all the chickens and ducks get sick and die.

Mr. Phu said: Recently, the duty ship transported dogs, chickens, and ducks to the Platform, but after only raising them for about a day, 15 ducks died. Every two months, the batches of chickens, ducks, and pigs are slaughtered, and a new batch is raised. At the time we were there, the DK1/9 Platform had two pigs, each weighing about 50 kg, 12 ducks, 20 chickens, and one dog. “If not raised properly, chickens and ducks are very susceptible to disease. Once they are infected, it is very difficult to treat them due to lack of medicine, so the best way is to slaughter them all and eat them gradually. What is special is that the chickens raised here are all roosters. The sound of dogs barking, chickens crowing, and the lush vegetable patches here are also spiritual “medicine” for the navy soldiers. Every time we hear the sound of dogs barking, chickens crowing, everyone feels like they are at home, and their longing for the mainland is somewhat lessened,” Mr. Phu confided.

Compared to the mainland, the DK1/9 Platform never lacks fish. After training, the soldiers take out their fishing rods. “On good days, we can catch 30 kg. But there are days when we can’t catch any fish because if the current changes or the wind is strong, we will give up. On average, each month, we catch 70-90 kg of fish to ensure freshness for the officers and soldiers on the Platform,” said Mr. Phu. In 2012, the soldiers of the DK1/9 Platform caught more than 800 kg of various types of fish; made 70 liters of fish sauce; 80 kg of soybeans; and raised nearly 200 kg of pigs, chickens, and ducks. Competing to increase production, their meals are always full of nutrients, ensuring their health to work and complete their tasks well.

The lives of soldiers on DK1 Platform are still full of difficulties and deprivation, but it is their love for the sea and islands, their love for their homeland and country that gives them strength, helping them overcome all difficulties and hardships, steadfastly stick to the sea, and protect the country's sovereignty.

Pham Bang