Farmers in Nghe An protect livestock and crops from the cold.
(Baonghean.vn) - For nearly a week now, Nghe An province has experienced a sharp drop in temperature due to the influence of a verstärkt cold front. On March 1st and 2nd, in mountainous districts, temperatures sometimes fell below 10 degrees Celsius, resulting in severe cold weather. People have had to find ways to cope with the cold and protect crops and livestock from the harsh conditions.
After selling off her flock of free-range roosters during the Lunar New Year, taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather, Ms. Hoang Thi Cuc in Lien Chung hamlet, Phong Thinh commune (Thanh Chuong district) quickly restocked her flock. “Just a week after restocking, it started raining and getting cold. Chickens are very sensitive to erratic weather, so I had to spread rice husk bedding for them, keep them in a closed room to warm them with specialized heating lamps, and even the water for them to drink had to be warm,” Ms. Cuc explained.
These days, temperatures in the mountainous areas are dropping low. Therefore, Mr. Hoang Kim Tung – a trader specializing in supplying piglets in Ky Son district – is both transporting pigs to sell to local people and providing feed and guidance on how to protect pigs from the cold. Since January 10th alone, he has supplied approximately 1,500 piglets to ethnic minority households in Tuong Duong and Ky Son districts to help them repopulate their herds after Tet.
According to Mr. Tung, native black pigs only meet a portion of the people's needs, so the imported hybrid black pigs need time to adapt to the harsh climate here. "The demand for restocking is high, and farmers started raising pigs during a period of cold and rainy weather. So when providing the breeding stock, I instructed them on how to supplement nutrition, spread straw for the pigs to lie on, cover the pens, and add heating lamps for the pigs. At the same time, I advised them to choose high-weight breeding pigs that have been fully vaccinated to avoid risks," Mr. Tung said.
"Although the temperature didn't drop too low during this cold spell, we have issued notices to households, requesting people to herd their cattle back into barns, provide shelter, and stockpile feed, and not let their buffalo and cattle roam freely during this cold period," said Luong Van Huy, an agricultural official in Quy Chau district.
In the plains, temperatures remain above 16 degrees Celsius, but the rain and frost have made caring for vegetables and other crops quite difficult. Therefore, in areas specializing in vegetable cultivation, people are increasing protection for their plants by covering them with plastic sheeting, using black netting to protect against frost, and mulching the base of the plants with straw and rice husks.
For rice fields currently in the tillering and branching stage, in addition to completing thinning and replanting, farmers are also increasing field inspections and implementing measures to protect the rice plants from the cold. Mr. Phan Duy Hai, Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, stated: Although this year is considered a warm year, the occurrence of severe cold spells is unavoidable. Especially for seedlings and newly planted trees, frost can destroy plant cells, causing young leaves to show signs such as curling tips, yellowing, and leaf drop, potentially leading to plant death. Therefore, to protect crops during cold spells, farmers should base their actions on the actual situation, capabilities, and specific target to choose appropriate measures.
Specifically, for rice, maintain a water level of 3-5 cm in the paddy field, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer, and increase the application of NPK phosphorus fertilizer at appropriate dosages; for vegetables, add ash and rice husks, cover with plastic sheeting, or use black netting. If there is heavy frost and no rain, pump water to wash the leaves, preventing leaf burn and root rot.
"According to forecasts, this cold spell will end in the next few days, the weather will become sunny and warm again, and then there will be another deep cold spell. The alternating sunny and warm weather with rain and cold spells is very favorable for the development of pests and diseases. Farmers need to pay attention to monitor the situation and take timely preventive measures," advised a representative from the Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection.
