'Running on straw' in the hot sun in the countryside of Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Harvesting crops in hot weather conditions is quite difficult for farmers, especially drying and storing straw.
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| During this hot weather, farmers in the districts are taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest the summer-autumn rice. Currently, the harvesting process is quite simple, just need to call the harvester to finish, but collecting the straw will take a long time later, fast or slow depends on the weather. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| After harvesting, the straw is dried by farmers right on the dry fields. From morning to afternoon, they have to turn the straw over several times in the sun for it to dry evenly. The sun is strong, the straw dries quickly, but collecting the straw is quite hard. Farmers often go to collect straw in the afternoon sun, to preserve the straw better. If they go to collect straw late, near evening, when dew falls on the straw, it will be deflated or if it rains, the straw will be soaked with water and spoiled. If they dry it again, the straw will not be as bright, beautiful, and fragrant as at first. Photo: Huy Thu |
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Means of transporting straw from the field to home are tractors, buffalo carts, and cars. Loading straw onto the cart is not a very "pleasant" job, although the straw is light, it is quite painful. Families often use buffalo carts to transport straw. Each cart has 2 people, 1 person stands on the cart and 1 person stands under the cart to lift the straw up. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Many farmers choose to bundle straw in the middle of the field into large bundles and transport them onto the road. Carrying straw, 2 bundles in each hand, carrying it under the armpits is quite difficult. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Some other households use handcarts attached to motorbikes to transport straw. The carts are small but the straw is stacked very high. On rainy days, with dark clouds all around, families have to mobilize all their manpower to collect the straw to avoid getting caught in the rain. Running with straw in the rain is "unspeakably tiring". Photo: Huy Thu |
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| A resident of Bao Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) was carrying straw home and said: Families that raise buffaloes and cows must dry and polish the straw very carefully, sometimes having to buy or ask for more straw from neighbors. Drying straw in the sun makes it dry and crispy, but in the rain it is very difficult. If the straw is not removed in time, it will be soaked with water and spoiled, or when dried again, the straw will not be as bright and fragrant as when first dried. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| A woman in Xuan Tuong commune (Thanh Chuong) drives an ox cart carrying straw from the field to her home. The straw cart is light but cumbersome. If it is not tied tightly or the ox is not controlled properly, the cart can easily fall over. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Many households with few people, especially the elderly, have to carry straw with poles or shoulder poles, which is very difficult. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Some people even carry straw on their backs from the fields or from the drying area to their homes. Carrying straw on their backs is probably the most difficult way to transport straw. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| According to farmers, being able to bring dry straw home during harvest season is "already a blessing". Sun-dried, crispy, fragrant straw is an important food source for cattle. In recent years, people have stored dry straw in many ways: hanging it on the ceiling, putting it in a straw house, or building a tree in the garden. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The straw building process requires careful preparation from planting the poles to making the foundation, how to wrap the straw... The job of building straw, especially building large straw trees, is usually for men. However, many women still skillfully undertake this job. Building a sturdy, beautiful straw tree with a carefully placed top is a feat. Photo: Huy Thu |