Farmers in Nghe An province compete in production on the first day of the new year.

Farmers rush to the fields.

In the early days of the new year, in most localities throughout the province, farmers went to the fields early to prepare the land and sow seeds.spring plantingIn 2023, many localities with early rice planting areas have completed sowing seedlings; for late rice, land preparation is also underway.

Farmers in Quynh Luu district prepare the land for planting rice in the spring of 2023. Photo: Xuan Hoang.

To ensure a successful spring crop, local authorities have directed specialized agencies and communes/townships to prepare sufficient quantities of seeds and supplies; provide technical guidance on land preparation, seed soaking and germination, and planting times according to the seasonal schedule directed by the agricultural sector.

Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hang, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Quynh Luu District, said: To effectively achieve the "dual goals" in spring rice production and winter vegetable production, the Department has advised the District People's Committee to request communes to disseminate information and guide farmers to arrange their time in the fields appropriately, ensuring the best production results. Towards a modern, environmentally friendly agricultural system, the district also encourages farmers to limit the use of chemical fertilizers and increase the use of organic fertilizers to restore soil nutrients.

Farmers in Long Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) sow rice seedlings for the 2023 spring crop. Photo: Xuan Hoang

In the fields of Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Do Luong, and other areas, the atmosphere of starting production at the beginning of the new year is equally bustling. Besides focusing on preparing the land and sowing seeds for the spring planting according to the seasonal schedule, the Department of Agriculture is also directing localities to advise farmers to harvest winter crops when they reach maturity; and to focus on caring for green vegetables, flowers, and livestock to supply the market.Lunar New Yearupcoming.

On the afternoon of January 2nd, farmers in Quynh Lien went to the fields to tend to their vegetables. Photo: Thanh Yen

The busiest areas are still the flower gardens in Dien Chau and Yen Thanh, where families are mobilizing all their manpower to care for the flowers in the final stages. Mr. Phan Van Bao from Block 3, Yen Thanh town, said that with only a few days left until the Lunar New Year, his whole family has been working diligently in the fields since the first day of the new year, ensuring that the flowers bloom just in time for Tet to supply the market.

Flower care in Yen Thanh town. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc, Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, stated: The province's target for food production in 2023 is approximately 1.2 million tons; of which the spring crop in 2023 must strive to achieve 695,500 tons. Accordingly, the entire province aims to plant 91,000 hectares of rice, 19,300 hectares of corn, 9,500 hectares of peanuts, and 12,500 hectares of various vegetables…

To achieve that goal, right from day onenew yearUnder the guidance of local authorities, farmers everywhere are competing in agricultural production across the country. Among these, the crops receiving the most focused attention are rice cultivation, spring peanut planting, and winter crop production.

Taking advantage of the high vegetable prices, farmers in Quynh Lien, Hoang Mai district, head to the fields to harvest carrots for sale. Photo: Thanh Yen

Fishermen are ready for their first fishing trip of the year.

In these early days of the new year, despite unfavorable weather conditions at sea, fishermen are present at fishing ports throughout the province, preparing for their first fishing trip of the year. According to the fishermen, although the last fishing trip of the year didn't yield a large profit, each boat brought back a considerable amount of seafood. The beginning of the new year also coincides with the lunar break, so the fishermen are focusing on repairing fishing gear, checking their vessels and machinery, and loading all necessary supplies onto the boats. When the weather is favorable, they will head out to sea.

Fishermen from Dien Chau return with their catch on the first day of the new year. Photo: Xuan Hoang.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Dong, manager of Lach Quen Fishing Port (Quynh Luu), said that due to the high price of fuel, fishermen are waiting for the most favorable weather to go out to sea to fish, avoiding the situation where they have to return to shore due to monsoon winds, which wastes fuel and results in low catch yields. Therefore, in these first days of the new year, the fishermen are not in a hurry to go out to sea, but are taking the time to carefully prepare their fishing gear and equipment, so that every time they go out to sea, they will be successful.

For fishermen in Dien Chau, most of whom fish near the shore, the first days of the new year are spent at sea. Therefore, the Lach Van fishing port (Dien Chau) remains bustling with boats returning to port and buying and selling seafood. The fishermen say that they should be resting on New Year's Day, but they stay at sea to earn extra income because of the need to make a living.

Old fisherman Buong from Dien Ngoc commune confided: Regarding...fishermenWe only take a long break during the Lunar New Year; we go out to sea as usual during the Gregorian New Year and other holidays. The fishing time is short in the nearshore waters, so the catch isn't large. Roughly speaking, on this first trip of the year, my boat caught over 100 kg of various seafood, including valuable items like mantis shrimp, squid, and crab, worth over 5 million dong.

On January 2nd, many fishing boats from Quynh Phuong district had a bumper catch of sea crabs. Photo: Thanh Yen

According to Mr. Ngo Xuan Thuy, manager of Lach Van fishing port, on the first day of the new year 2023, fishermen in Dien Chau still went out to sea. Because they fished near the shore, they only returned within the day. The catch wasn't large, but each boat earned between 100 and 200 kg of various seafood. From 10 a.m., fishing boats began returning to port, and the bustling seafood trading scene only lasted for about two hours.

According to information from the Fisheries Sub-Department, in 2022, the estimated marine catch reached 193,885.3 tons, equivalent to 106.53% of the annual plan. This result was achieved thanks to the overcoming of difficulties and the perseverance of fishermen in staying at sea. This also serves as motivation for fishermen in the province to continue to develop their experience and creativity in fishing in 2023, and to invest in installing more modern equipment on fishing vessels to achieve higher efficiency.

Entering 2023, agricultural production will face many difficulties due to the impact of natural disasters and complex disease outbreaks affecting crops and livestock. However, with the active guidance and support from all levels and sectors, coupled with the people's spirit of overcoming difficulties and adapting to the new situation, and their determination to start production from the beginning of the year, agricultural production will achieve its set goals and make an important contribution to the overall socio-economic development of the province.