Bamboo "pumps" to fight drought in many highland areas of Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - The prolonged dry and hot weather has made it impossible to plant crops in many localities in Nghe An. However, with water wheels, considered as “pumps” made of bamboo, many highlands of Nghe An still have enough water for summer-autumn production.
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| These days, the weather is hot and dry, but with proactive water sources from streams and creeks, farmers in Yen Na area (Tuong Duong district) still sow and plant crops on time. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| According to the locals, water wheels placed next to streams and creeks are the best solution to bring water to the fields. "The commune has 42.7 hectares of rice fields, and this is the first year we have grown three crops a year. Previously, we mainly cultivated swidden fields, but now there is too much drought, thanks to this homemade water wheel, people have water to grow rice" - said Mr. Lo Van Giap, Head of the Agriculture Department of Yen Na commune. Photo: Dao Tho |
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The water wheel has been a tool for taking water from streams to serve production since ancient times of the people in the highlands of Nghe An. The wheel operates thanks to the water power according to the mechanism that when moving, the scoop pipes will come into contact with water, the water will be filled into the pipes and transferred to the highest point of the wheel and poured into the water trough arranged next to it. The water flows through the pipes to the fields. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Mr. Lo May Hang, a resident of Yen Na commune, said: In the past, people mainly cultivated on swidden fields, so no one paid much attention to getting water to the fields. Now, most people focus on growing wet rice, so the water wheels are also installed with more bamboo pipes to bring water into the fields. Therefore, the amount of water is enough to ensure 3 crops per year. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| In some higher fields, people have to drain water like in the plains. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Currently, more than 70% of the rice area in Yen Na has been planted thanks to ensuring water supply during the dry season. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Terraced fields are starting to be covered with green rice seedlings. In localities such as Tam Thai, Tam Dinh... of Tuong Duong district or Con Cuong, Quy Hop, Quy Chau... water wheels have also brought high production efficiency thanks to taking water from streams and creeks to supply the fields. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| In Con Cuong, bamboo wheels are also used by locals for irrigation, and some wheels have even been invested in to serve tourism purposes in the area. Photo: Ba Hau |
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Multi-purpose wheel in Mon Son, Con Cuong, serves both irrigation and tourism. Photo: BH |
| Bamboo wheel for rice production in the highlands of Nghe An. |
