Nghe An: Many production models adapt to climate change

(Baonghean.vn) - Climate change is becoming increasingly severe, threatening food security and affecting sustainable development on a large scale. In recent years, remote districts such as Ky Son and Tuong Duong have built many crop and livestock models with high economic efficiency, which can cope with climate change.

Raising cows and black chickens in Ky Son

For a long time, the Mong people in Ky Son have had a tradition of raising cows, which are considered a great asset of the family. What is special is that the breed of cows that the Mong people raise is a large, strong, rare cow. Mr. Vu Xai Chu in Huoi Giang 3 village, Tay Son commune, Ky Son said: At first, my family only raised 2-3 free-range cows. Seeing the effectiveness, we invested in a barn system to raise 15 cows; of which 4 are for breeding, the rest are for meat.

To proactively source food, we planted 0.5 hectares of elephant grass on the mountainside. The advantage of this breed of cattle is that it can withstand the harsh cold climate conditions in the highlands, the quality of the meat is delicious so the output is very easy to consume. Each year, the family's income from raising Mong cattle is from 250 - 300 million VND.

Mr. Luu Duc Cuong - Vice Chairman of Tay Son Commune People's Committee, Ky Son added: In the 2000s, the whole commune had only over 200 Mong cows. Realizing that Mong cows are economically efficient and suitable for climate conditions, the commune encouraged people to raise over 1,200 cows. People both raise cows for breeding and fatten Mong cows. Mong cows are large, easy to raise, less susceptible to diseases, and have delicious meat. There are bulls weighing over 400 kg, sold for over 40 million VND. The commune encouraged people to build barns, not let them roam freely, and grow over 60 hectares of elephant grass. Many households have escaped poverty and become rich thanks to raising cows.

Currently, the whole district has about 56,000 Mong cows, concentrated in the communes of Huoi Tu, My Ly, Muong Tip, Muong Ai, Muong Long. Up to now, with the support of the State, the people have planted 750 hectares of elephant grass, proactively providing food for Mong cows. Realizing that raising Mong cows is an economic development direction suitable for the people, the Center for Application of Scientific and Technological Advances (Department of Science and Technology) implemented the scientific project "Application of scientific and technological advances to develop the local yellow cow breed (Mong cows) in Muong Long commune".

Ky Son also develops and preserves the native black chicken breed quite effectively. About 10 years ago, the black chicken breed here was considered to be in danger of extinction, but now it is very popularly raised, bringing high economic efficiency.

Mr. Vu Va Chong (Huoi Dun village, Huoi Tu commune) shared: In the past, my family mainly raised black chickens for self-sufficiency. Recently, the transportation system in Huoi Tu has been conveniently "plasticized", traders come to the place to buy chickens at high prices, so the family invested in raising over 200 black chickens. The output is quite favorable, the price is high, traders buy on the spot at 150,000 VND/kg of chicken, each year the income from black chickens reaches 20 - 25 million VND. According to Mr. Chong, black chickens are a wild breed, healthy and suitable for the cold climate in the highlands, so they rarely get sick, so they are very suitable for the climate conditions here.

Black chicken farming model in Ta Ca commune (Ky Son).

Currently, the communes that raise a lot of black chickens are: Muong Long, Nam Can, Huoi Tu... Black chickens have become a widely consumed food thanks to the quality of their meat. Currently, the whole Huoi Tu commune has over 3,000 chickens, the commune is hoping to receive financial support from the State so that people can invest in buying chicken breeds and building barns to develop black chickens.

Growing corn on sloping land

At this time, along Yen Na and Yen Hoa communes (Tuong Duong), corn begins to cover the green area from the foot of the hill to the top of the pass. Ms. Vi Kieu in Xieng Lip village, Yen Hoa commune said: "In 2012, I was supported with 2 kg of corn seeds, and agricultural extension officers came to guide me on the techniques and process of planting corn on sloping land, so right from the first crop, I harvested 400 kg of corn, selling it for 3,000 VND/kg for 1.2 million VND/crop.

Up to now, the annual income from corn is about 10 - 12 million VND. From growing corn, the family has the conditions to take advantage of by-products to raise buffaloes, cows, pigs, improving family life". According to the representative of the Yen Na commune leader, from the project being a model of planting more than 3 hectares, now the people of Yen Na commune have developed corn cultivation on sloping land of nearly 100 hectares/year. In particular, corn is a plant that can withstand the hot climate here, in the rainy season corn grows well, contributing effectively to preventing landslides.

Corn products grown on sloping land in Nga My commune (Tuong Duong).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh - Head of Tuong Duong Agricultural Extension Station added: The conversion of hybrid corn structure, varieties LVN25, SB099, P4199, B 9698... to replace upland rice, applying scientific and technological advances for sustainable farming. Gradually converting towards commodity production to quickly increase and stabilize income for farmers, especially in highland and border areas. Currently, the whole district has over 2,700 hectares of corn.

To limit the risks caused by nature, in recent times, our province has focused on promoting the conversion of varieties and crop structures; introducing into production varieties of crops and livestock to adapt to climate change such as: planting Shan Tuyet tea suitable for cold climates in the two communes of Huoi Tu and Muong Long, which has reached nearly 500 hectares, planting along Lam River in Con Cuong and Tuong Duong.

Some districts use intercropping and crop rotation to limit pests and diseases, limit erosion, improve soil, and take advantage of nutritional space, such as: corn intercropped with acacia, cassava intercropped with acacia, cassava intercropped with rubber, beans/peanuts/pineapple intercropped with rubber... Using native livestock breeds such as: black chicken, native chicken, black pig, Mong cow, traditional freshwater fish that are strong and adaptable, carp, grass carp, bighead carp, silver carp, silver carp, grass carp... to raise fish in ponds and cages on rivers...

Van Truong