Nghe An strives to plant more than 111 thousand hectares of summer-autumn crops - season 2023

On the morning of April 17, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held a conference to deploy the Summer-Autumn Crop Production Project - 2023. Comrade Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended and directed the conference.

The conference took place on the morning of April 17 in Vinh city. Photo: Phu Huong

Risk of widespread drought

To achieve the food production target of 1.2 million tons in 2023, based on the production situation of the winter crop in 2022 and the spring crop in 2023, Nghe An must strive to achieve 424,410 tons of grain in the summer-autumn crop this year. Accordingly, the whole province strives to cultivate 111,150 hectares of various crops, including 81,000 hectares of rice (58,000 hectares of summer-autumn rice and 23,500 hectares of winter-spring rice); 12,200 hectares of corn; in addition, 750 hectares of peanuts, 2,600 hectares of beans, 2,800 hectares of sesame and 11,800 hectares of various vegetables.

According to assessment, this is a production season facing many difficulties and challenges. The temperature is generally 0.5ºC higher than the average of many years; total rainfall is 5-10% lower than the average of many years; especially, from the beginning of the spring crop, water must be regulated to serve production and prevent drought in Thanh Chuong and Do Luong areas.

Leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development inspect the supply of summer-autumn rice seeds. Photo: Phu Huong

Meanwhile, lakes, dams, rivers, streams and key projects are at low levels, so the risk of drought, water shortage and saltwater intrusion is very high, which can occur soon and on a large scale; the North-South expressway project is under construction, which will affect irrigation for production in some districts such as Hung Nguyen, Dien Chau and Nghi Loc. According to forecasts, the whole province has over 6,500 hectares at risk of drought and water shortage.

Along with that, there is a potential risk that some pests may arise strongly; the price of materials remains high, affecting the psychology and investment ability of farmers.

Comrade Le Dinh Thanh - Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee is concerned about the possibility of drought in the summer-autumn crop this year. Photo: Phu Huong

“Safety and Efficiency” Production is the Top Priority

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing and finding solutions to proactively overcome and minimize the impact of adverse factors on production. In particular, focusing on arranging reasonable varieties, crops, and seasons, suitable to the conditions of each region; continuing to transform crop and season structures to ensure safe production, increase product value, and limit land abandonment...

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee gave a speech at the conference. Photo: Phu Huong

Speaking at the conference, comrade Nguyen Van De requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities to develop projects that are close to the actual situation, direct effective production; promote land concentration, link farmers with organizations such as cooperatives and enterprises, to stabilize production and consumption, and improve efficiency.

Along with that, it is necessary to pay attention to building and adjusting appropriate policies and mechanisms for farmers and businesses to access, so that policies to support production development can be put into practice; in addition to the province's policies, districts also need to proactively develop their own mechanisms.

Seed supply for this year's summer-autumn crop has been proactively prepared. Photo: Phu Huong

“The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities must focus on directing and implementing the planting season with the motto of starting as soon as possible, putting safety and efficiency above all; paying attention to preparing good sources of seeds and fertilizers to ensure quality for production.

In particular, it is necessary to proactively develop a drought prevention plan, ensuring adequate irrigation for the entire planting area according to the plan and drought prevention for industrial crops and fruit trees; mobilize the entire political system and all forces to direct and regulate sufficient water before and during production for areas at risk of drought; have a backup production plan to be able to produce proactively," the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized.

Thanh Chuong district had to dredge the irrigation system to fight drought right from the beginning of the 2023 spring crop. Photo: Phu Huong

In the long term, localities need to review the irrigation system and the ability to supply irrigation water. Only safe production areas should be included in the plan to ensure two crops. At the same time, completely change the crop structure on areas that are not safe.