Using field pumps to fight drought and save rice in Que Phong

The field oil pump is located at Khe Cam, Ban Cam, Tri Le commune, Que Phong. Photo: Van Truong

Cam village field, Tri Le commune, districtQue PhongCurrently, many rice fields are lacking water. According to some villagers, this year the water level in the upstream stream is depleted so temporary dams cannot be used to get water.

To combat drought and save rice, since March 12, Que Phong Irrigation Branch (under Tay Bac Irrigation Company Limited) has deployed 3 field oil pumps in Khe Cam stream to irrigate over 40 hectares of drought-stricken rice. The pumping period is expected to last 10-12 days. During the pumping process, the Irrigation Branch is supported by local people in tasks such as moving the machines and pump hoses, and standing by to pump water to save the rice.

Irrigation staff and Cam village residents guard the pump at a temporary shelter. Photo: Van Truong

In the Dan 1 and Dan 2 villages of Tien Phong commune, over 70 hectares of rice fields were lacking water. The villagers proactively used 15 small capacity pumps placed along the streams to save the rice. The irrigation workers in charge of the area directly instructed the villagers on how to install and operate the water pumps.

"Priming" water for the field oil pump in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district. Photo: Van Truong

These days, Cam Muon commune has mobilized people to build 3 temporary dykes in Pun and Cam villages to bring water to the fields, and at the same time used 76 waterwheels along the Quang river bank to pump rice to Mong and Pha Pat villages.

Mr. Lo Van Tung - Chairman of Cam Muon Commune People's Committee said: The whole commune has 239 hectares of rice, currently there are over 40 hectares of rice lacking water. In addition to using the wheel, the irrigation unit has placed 2 pumps in the stream to pump to support the rice area lacking water.

Irrigation units in collaboration with people from communes in Que Phong district built temporary dykes to retain water. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Tran Manh Tuong - Director of Que Phong Irrigation Branch said: Que Phong district planted over 4,000 hectares of spring rice, from the beginning of March until now, there have been over 300 hectares of rice lacking water, concentrated in the communes of Cam Muon, Tri Le, Tien Phong... Right from the beginning of March, the unit coordinated with local authorities of the communes in the area to install 8 field oil pumping stations of 16-24 horsepower, operating water according to the motto "high distance watering first, low distance watering later".

Many rice fields in Tri Le commune, Que Phong district are lacking water. Photo: Van Truong

In addition, over 20 small capacity pumps of the people were also mobilized to pump rice. Que Phong Irrigation Branch will support oil for the people during the drought period. Each pumping session in the communes takes place from 10-12 days, irrigation staff in conjunction with the people squeeze and manage water to the fields. So far, the water shortage has basically been resolved, however, in the coming days of prolonged hot weather, the risk of drought may still occur.

Van Truong