Farmers in Nghe An province are focusing on protecting their spring rice seedlings from severe cold weather.
Xuan Hoang•January 7, 2026 16:06
At this time, farmers are focusing on tending to their rice seedlings, preparing for the spring planting season. Given the severe cold weather, many measures are being implemented to keep the seedlings warm and to proactively prevent rodent damage.
In preparation for the spring planting season, farmers in various localities are actively caring for young rice seedlings. Besides covering them with plastic sheeting to keep them warm, some households are also sprinkling lime around the seedling beds to prevent rodent infestation. (In the photo: Farmers in Dien Chau commune covering rice seedlings with plastic sheeting to protect them from the cold. Photo: Xuan Hoang)Ms. Nguyen Thi Tan, from Dien Yen hamlet, Hop Minh commune, said that this spring her family sowed 7 kg of TR225 rice seeds to plant on more than 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of rice land. Thanks to covering the seedlings with plastic sheeting from the beginning, they developed well. Photo: Xuan HoangTo ensure that rats do not invade and damage the young rice seedlings, many families use wire mesh to cover the inside, and then cover it with plastic sheeting on the outside. Mr. Pham Quang Sang - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hop Minh commune, said that this spring, the locality planted nearly 2,000 hectares of rice, and following the direction of the local government, 100% of the rice seedlings were covered with plastic sheeting. Photo: Xuan HoangFor the Van Thanh Agricultural and Rural Development Cooperative, this spring season they plan to transplant 300 hectares of seedlings using trays for various localities, so the unit is actively and meticulously caring for the seedlings. On days when the temperature drops low, they open the plastic covers at noon to water the growing medium sufficiently, and cover them again in the afternoon to protect the seedlings from the cold. Photo: Xuan HoangMr. Nguyen Phuc Hung, Director of Van Thanh Agricultural and Rural Development Cooperative, said that many households are now registering for machine transplanting, which reduces costs, lessens labor, and especially ensures the seedlings are healthy, resulting in more uniform rice plants and rows. Photo: Xuan HoangSowing rice seedlings in a growing medium (plastic trays) requires the correct technique to ensure the seedlings meet the required standards. Photo: Xuan HoangAfter being watered sufficiently, the seedling trays are covered with plastic sheeting to retain warmth. Photo: Xuan HoangIn Tan An commune, 850 hectares of rice were planted this spring. Prior to this, the local authorities had encouraged farmers to cover rice seedlings with plastic sheeting to ensure their growth during the severe cold weather. (Photo: Cam Tu)This spring, Nghe An province aims to plant 90,500 hectares of rice. This includes 44,600 hectares of hybrid rice and 45,900 hectares of purebred rice. The Department of Agriculture has advised farmers to implement measures to protect seedlings from the cold, with the basic method being covering them with plastic sheeting. (Photo: Cam Tu)
