Nghe An farmers save water, change crop structure to fight drought

(Baonghean) - Before the forecast of severe drought in 2016 in Nghe An, right from the beginning of the spring crop, localities have proactively saved water and taken care of rice...

In the spring crop of 2016, Anh Son district planted 3,300 hectares of rice, of which 500 hectares of areas without water supply were at risk of drought at the flowering stage. Currently, the irrigation water situation in the area is declining. Anh Son district has 11 projects, including 5 reservoirs and 6 electric pumping stations serving agricultural production for 12/21 communes and towns.

In addition, the water level at the pumping stations located along the Lam River (Tuong Son, Thach Son, Linh Son) since the spring crop began has fluctuated depending on the discharge of hydroelectric plants.

Tay Nam Irrigation One Member Co., Ltd. pumps water to fight drought at Dong Quan Lake, Lang Son Commune (Anh Son).

Mr. Le Van Dan, Director of Tay Nam Irrigation One Member Co., Ltd. said: "To proactively cope with the situation, the company has consulted with localities on converting the crop structure appropriately. In addition, plans have been made to repair field oil pumps. Particularly for Ruong Xoi and Dong Quan reservoirs, we have contacted localities to restore and repair drought-resistant pumps of communes in accordance with the drought-resistant direction of Anh Son District People's Committee."

The water level at Ruong Xoi Lake in Vinh Son Commune (Anh Son) is currently only at 31% of the design capacity, capable of irrigating enough rice for the rice to form panicles.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture of Anh Son district, said: "To cope with the drought situation in the area, the district's agricultural sector continuously organizes production recovery, checks and reviews all rice-growing areas that are likely to be affected by drought to improve the care process closely to each area and each variety. Propaganda for people to focus on care so that the rice grows quickly and blooms in time for the end of April to avoid drought during the rice-growing period affecting productivity, and to help the rice bloom as soon as possible.

During this period, farmers should actively take care of the rice so that from March 20 to 30, the rice will form ears, and from April 20 to 30, the rice will bloom, then it will be safe. For areas with irrigation water, actively repair canals and proactively irrigate, both saving water and ensuring crop growth.

Vinh Son Commune requested Anh Son District to support the restoration of the pumping station in the area to pump water from Lam River to fight drought.

In 2016, the drought situation is forecast to be severe, so the agricultural sector of Do Luong district has coordinated with localities to develop a plan to change the structure of spring crops. At the same time, it has strengthened guidance, transferred science and technology, introduced new varieties with high productivity, resistant to pests and drought to encourage people to change the structure of crops to avoid drought.

Mr. Tran Doan Hung, Head of the District Agriculture Department, shared: We reviewed and classified the areas of rice fields with low efficiency due to lack of water and distance from irrigation works, to select crops suitable for each region and with high productivity to put into cultivation to avoid drought and ensure harvest efficiency per unit area.

Specifically, the entire district has converted nearly 600 hectares of forced-planted rice to dry-land crops to reduce the amount of irrigation water. At the same time, water-saving irrigation was directed from the beginning of the season and farmers were instructed to increase fertilization to promote timely rice flowering.

Currently, taking advantage of favorable weather, people in localities in the province are actively taking care of spring rice in order to promote early rice flowering, avoiding severe drought during the rice flowering period, affecting productivity and harvest output.

Quynh Lan