Highland farmers remove leaves to catch winter corn pests

For many years now, in Tam Thai commune, Duong Duong district, in addition to growing rice, cassava, and bamboo, winter corn has also been a crop that brings in a good income for the people. Photo: NK

In 2022, the total cultivated area of ​​Tam Thai commune was over 522 hectares, of which corn accounted for 82 hectares, an increase of 60.8% over the same period. However, corn in Tam Thai is currently being damaged by leaf rollers and stem borers, causing many corn fields to begin showing signs of leaves and stems being eaten by worms. Photo: NK

“Catching worms by hand takes time, but it ensures complete eradication, reduces the use of pesticides, and ensures safety for health and the environment,” said Lung Loc Village Chief Van Tuyen. Photo: NK

To kill the worms, people have to separate the young shoots to catch them because the worms hide in the leaf layers at the top of the corn plant. In addition to corn that is harmful to worms, in Tam Thai, some other crops also appear to have some pests and agents that harm rice plants such as: golden apple snails, brown planthoppers, rice blast disease, stem borers, and locusts. Photo: NK

Just early in the morning, when the fog had cleared, people caught many worms from corn stalks. Photo: NK

Ms. Ngan Thi Cu in Lung village, Tam Thai commune, said that her family harvests 8-10 tons of winter corn each year. This year, the corn plants are damaged by pests, so she goes to the fields every day to catch pests. Each day, she catches about 1kg of pests. Photo: NK