Farmers in the highlands of Nghe An plant at night to avoid the sun.

Night planting is a way for many women in the mountainous areas of Nghe An to avoid the heat. Photo: HV

Ms. Quang Thi Hoai in Hoa Tien 1 village, Chau Tien commune (Quy Chau) said that although there are many fields,Covid-19 epidemichas affected the family income. Therefore, instead of hiring someone to plant rice, she has to plant rice herself or "trade labor" with people in the village.

Around 4pm, they start planting rice in the fields. The work sometimes lasts until midnight under the dim light of a new moon. In addition to the flashlights on their heads, these women also have to carry rechargeable lights for protection on the shore.

During the planting season, a person can earn about 600,000 VND by working overtime at night. Photo: HV

It was almost 9 p.m., but her “work-swapping” planting group had not yet gone home to rest. The five women continued to work for another hour to finish their work for the day. “During the hot day, we had to plant at night to avoid the heat,” Ms. Hoai shared.

At 21 years old, Ms. Sam Thi Lieu in Hoa Tien 1 village should have followed her friends to industrial parks to work. But recently, the Covid-19 pandemic appeared, she chose to stay home to take care of her children. During the harvest season, especially the planting season, she has an additional source of income from planting rice for other households in the village.

A night transplant can last until almost midnight. Photo: HV

Arriving at Tong Xan field of Hoa Tien 2 village, Chau Tien commune at nearly 10 pm, the lights were still flickering. On his field, Mr. Vi Van Diep said that his family was short of people and his children worked far away, so he had to hire people to plant rice. To ensure the season was on time, he had to hire people to plant rice at night at a price of 80,000 VND per hectare (equivalent to 100m2).

Having little land, Ms. Sam Thi Hong chosehired transplanterto earn more income. She said that during the rice planting season, she earns from 500,000 to 600,000 VND per day. “I earn that amount of money thanks to working overtime at night.” – Ms. Hong happily said.

Planting for hire also helps people who lost their jobs in industrial zones due to the Covid-19 pandemic earn extra income. Photo: HV

Near midnight, women planting rice for hire in mountainous areasQuy ChauFor the mountainous women in Chau Tien commune, planting rice at night helps them avoid the heat and earn extra income during difficult times due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic./.