Farmers in the 'vegetable capital' of Nghe An are struggling to fight drought.

The entire Quynh Luu district has more than 900 hectares of vegetable growing area, of which the coastal area accounts for 70% of the area. In the summer-autumn crop, localities have structured the planting of drought-resistant crops such as spring onions, melons, watermelons, tomatoes, etc. Photo: Viet Hung

Under the scorching summer sun, people in the vegetable growing area of ​​Quynh Minh commune “expose themselves” to the fields to water and protect their vegetables. While watering the onion field, drenched in sweat, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh said that although the sun came later this year than in previous years, the prolonged sunshine affected the crops. If they were not cared for and watered regularly, the vegetables would dry out.

“My family has 3 sao of green onions, of which 2 sao are almost ready for harvest. Currently, green onions are being sold at a high price of 19,000 - 20,000 VND/kg, so we pay attention to care and protection. The best time to water green onions is in the morning and late afternoon. The hot sun makes the soil dry quickly, so my family waters them 5 - 7 times a day to ensure the soil has moisture so the vegetables can grow,” Ms. Binh shared.

Scallions are currently selling at their highest price since the beginning of the year, at 19,000 - 20,000 VND/kg, so people are actively taking care of them. To protect vegetables from the heat, the most important step is watering and ensuring soil moisture for stable plant growth. Photo: Viet Hung

According to records at the vegetable fields of Quynh Minh commune, many households with wells in their fields are almost dry because the demand for watering vegetables has increased. Previously, people could water 3-5 times a day, but now they can only water once a day, and even wait until night when the surrounding spring water flows out to be able to water.

Mr. Ho Van Hung in Quynh Minh commune said: “The hot weather makes it easy for pests to develop. If there are no proper scientific care measures, the risk of pests destroying people's crops is very high. Therefore, the family is hiring workers to drill more wells, dividing them into many wells to have water for irrigation; or sometimes using tarps to cover the newly planted onion area.”

Well drillers were mobilized to drill for water to irrigate crops.Photo: Viet Hung

The coastal area of ​​Quynh Luu has about 700 hectares of specialized vegetable growing areas. Currently, people are taking care of about 500 hectares of green onions and some other vegetables. To prevent drought for vegetables in hot weather, more than 3,000 vegetable growing households in Quynh Minh, Quynh Luong and Quynh Bang communes have used water from wells right in the fields to spray water on vegetables. In addition, in recent years, some areas of net houses have appeared in the vegetable fields to avoid the sun and keep the soil moist for plant growth.

Some vegetable fields are dry and burnt due to drought. Photo: Viet Hung

However, the hot weather also caused some areas of crops and vegetables in the Bai Ngang Quynh Luu area to dry out, mainly tomatoes. According to the households, in the areas of crops that have dried out, people are converting some vegetable varieties to grow drought-resistant fruit trees such as watermelon, young melon, green onions, etc.

“Watermelon is a drought-resistant variety after onion. If you take care of it, water it regularly, and fertilize it with the right amount of fertilizer, the fruit will grow quickly and yield high yields. Although watermelon is very suitable for hot weather, you still have to keep the soil moist by watering it regularly once a day. With 1 sao of watermelon when harvested, it will yield over 2 tons of melon and bring in an income of about 15 million VND,” said Ms. Ho Thi Hoa, in Quynh Minh commune.

Farmers switch to drought-resistant fruit trees such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Photo: Viet Hung

Mr. Nguyen Van Tue - Chairman of Quynh Luong Commune People's Committee said: The whole commune has a large vegetable growing area of ​​over 240 hectares. The average annual output is 17-18 thousand tons/year, with a total income of 100 billion VND. Currently, the weather is hot, some vegetable growing areas of the people are having pests and diseases, especially harmful fungi, so the Commune People's Committee is directing agricultural extension and plant protection to advise farmers.

First of all, for onion areas affected by fungus, it is recommended that farmers harvest or plant in other areas to rotate crops, replacing them with other crops such as watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. Increase investment in fertilizers, especially organic fertilizers, improve soil humus to ensure nutrition for vegetables. In addition, encourage farmers to spray pesticides and water to keep the soil moist so that vegetables can grow better.