Responding to heavy rains that flooded vegetable crops in Quynh Luu.

(Baonghean) - Following the prolonged rain from October 25th to 28th, many vegetable crops in the coastal communes of Quynh Luu district were damaged and destroyed. Local authorities and farmers are urgently working to harvest and prepare for the post-flood crop care…

This winter season, Quynh Luu district planted 3,780 hectares of crops, including 1,500 hectares of vegetables. Given the unfavorable weather conditions and heavy rains over the past few days, the district has directed communes in the coastal areas to quickly assess the damage to farmers' vegetable crops.

Ms. Ho Thi Hao, residing in Hamlet 6, Quynh Minh Commune, is harvesting vegetables.

By the morning of October 28th, in the coastal communes of Quynh Minh, Quynh Luong, and Quynh Bang, many vegetable crops were flooded. Many residents had to brave the rain to harvest their crops. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, from Hamlet 7, Quynh Luong commune, said: “It has been raining heavily for several days now. My family had to mobilize everyone to go to the fields to harvest 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of vegetables. If it rains heavily for a few more days, everything will be flooded…” This year's autumn-winter crop in Quynh Luong commune covers 200 hectares, with spring onions accounting for 80% of the area, and the rest being vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, and sweet cabbage… According to preliminary statistics, in the 4 days of rain, 30% of the vegetable crop area in Quynh Luong commune has been completely lost due to flooding. Mr. Dinh Trong Tue, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luong commune, said: "If the heavy rain continues for a few more days, the entire area of ​​vegetable crops will certainly be completely destroyed. We are focusing on directing people and cooperatives to inspect the drainage system in the fields to take measures to minimize damage."

In the vegetable fields of Quynh Minh commune, Mrs. Ho Thi Hao from Hamlet 6 is harvesting flooded cabbage with her husband. She said that this winter, her family planted 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of vegetables, and they are now ready for harvest. If it hadn't rained, they would have harvested gradually to sell them on time, but now they have to harvest quickly to avoid the vegetables rotting when the rain stops. Many people in Quynh Minh commune said that every year, heavy rain causes flooding of their crops. Currently, the irrigation system in the fields is mostly temporary, using earthen ditches, while over 50% of the drainage ditches are made of concrete. Therefore, drainage during prolonged heavy rains is very slow. Mr. Tran Minh Loi, an agricultural official in Quynh Minh commune, said: “When heavy rains last for an extended period, the commune directs people to quickly harvest vegetable crops; at the same time, prepare some short-term crop varieties to sow in succession when the weather is favorable; and take care of vegetable crops in high-lying areas where the soil has been eroded by the rain, exposing the roots, so they are re-covered. After the rain stops, people are instructed to use root-stimulating fertilizers such as phosphorus and advised not to apply nitrogen fertilizer...”.

Farmers in Quynh Luong commune (Quynh Luu district) are tending to their tomato plants.

Meanwhile, in Quynh Bang commune, people are also focusing on harvesting vegetables with the motto "better to harvest while the vegetables are still green than to let them rot in the field." This winter season, Quynh Bang commune planted more than 200 hectares of vegetables. Mr. Vu Van Duong, an agricultural official in Quynh Bang commune, said: "Currently, we cannot estimate the area of ​​damaged vegetables because it is still raining. After the rain stops and the sun comes out, it will cause the buds of the vegetables to rot, and only then will we be able to quantify the damage."

Regarding the flooding of vegetable crops due to heavy rains in coastal communes, Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hang, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Quynh Luu district, said: “Given the adverse weather conditions, in order to minimize damage caused by heavy rains, Quynh Luu district has directed farmers to actively go to the fields to dredge canals and clear waterways to prevent localized flooding. Immediately after the rain stops, the district will organize a team to inspect and assess the situation. If the area of ​​vegetable crops is severely damaged, measures will be taken to support farmers according to state policies. At the same time, we encourage people to immediately take care of their crops after the rain stops, quickly water to wash away soil clinging to the shoots and leaves so that the plants can quickly grow; apply nitrogen fertilizer appropriately combined with pest and disease control so that the crops can return to normal development.”

Text and photos:Viet Hung

(Quynh Luu Radio Station)