Efforts to save tea

(Baonghean.vn) - According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the recent severe drought has caused over 2,260 hectares of tea leaves to burn, with damage ranging from 30-70%; nearly 850 hectares of tea are considered completely "wiped out". In tea areas in the province, people and local authorities are implementing many measures to "save tea".

With a total growing area of ​​over 4,500 hectares, tea has been considered Thanh Chuong's strength for many years. However, the recent prolonged heat wave has damaged over 1,200 hectares of tea, of which Thanh Mai, Thanh Tung, Thanh An, Thanh Thinh... are communes with many tea areas burned down over 70%, bringing the total area that must be replanted to 585 hectares. Mr. Le Dinh Thanh - Head of the District's Agriculture Department said: "In the immediate future, the district is mobilizing people to take advantage of water sources at 7 large dams and more than 200 large and small dams in the district to pump water to irrigate tea. At the same time, limit tea exploitation during drought. In the next crop, people will be encouraged to intercrop legumes to regenerate the soil as well as protect tea plants from the sun.

In Thanh Huong commune, people are using a sprinkler irrigation system that is highly effective in preventing drought for tea plants. Because water is directly led to the sprinkler system through pipes, water loss is minimized and constant humidity is maintained for tea plants to grow. Currently, each hamlet in the commune has from 4 to 6 households using this system.

Automatic Bep irrigation system used in Thanh Huong, Thanh Chuong

Not having the conditions to install an automatic irrigation system like some families in Thanh Huong commune, many people in Thanh Thuy have other creative ways to help tea plants overcome the drought. Mr. Le Van Chien's family has installed a large capacity pump system to supply water to 3 tea growing areas with a total area of ​​1 hectare. He shared: "If the tea dies and has to be replanted, it will cost more than 70 million VND per hectare, so it is better to proactively deal with it than to overcome serious consequences."

Mr. Tran Trong Hao (Hamlet 3, Thanh Thuy) blocked a stream to bring water to irrigate his family's tea area.

Thanh Thuy Commune has 485 hectares of tea, of which the area of ​​young tea accounts for more than 100 hectares. Mr. Ha Van Thai - Vice Chairman of the Commune shared: "Currently, the whole commune has 82 hectares of tea affected by the heat. The commune has mobilized people to invest in a water pumping system to take advantage of water sources from 2 large dams: Song Ro, Lai Lo and 4 other small dams. Notably, at the end of this year, the Vietnam Tea Association has agreed to support Cot Khi trees to intercrop in the tea area to combat drought."

Thanh Thuy people buy high capacity pumps to pump water to irrigate tea

In Anh Son, more than 300 hectares of tea have been affected by drought. In Hung Son commune, many tea areas have been severely burned. According to calculations, these areas will be replanted and replanted in the ninth lunar month, when the weather is cool and suitable for the growth of young plants.

Tea trees burned to death in Khe Long, Hung Son, Anh Son areas

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Huong (Deputy Head of Cultivation Department - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) said: The province has directed localities: For areas of burnt tea leaves, with damage from 30-70%, care will be taken, seedlings will be prepared, and when it rains, additional planting will be done to ensure density with newly planted tea areas; for commercial tea, weeding and fertilizing will be done when the rains come to help the tea recover and grow. Particularly for nearly 850 hectares of tea with over 70% burnt, it will be forced to be destroyed and replanted. The province is proposing the Government to support in the form of natural disaster assistance./.

Thanh Quynh