Ready for winter crop production.

(Baonghean) - These days, Anh Son district is actively implementing the plan to sow various winter crops such as corn, vegetables, beans, and green squash. Officials and people in the district are determined to have another successful winter crop with good prices.

It was midday, the sun was high in the sky, but Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, a rural sanitation officer in Cam Loi commune, Anh Son district, was still wading into the field to prepare for planting corn and checking his pumpkin crop. Taking advantage of the fertile, flood-free soil of the field, Mr. Nam has boldly transformed the winter crop into the main crop for his family for many years, generating high income. This year, in particular, he converted all his rice paddy land to growing pumpkins and winter corn. According to his calculations, the pumpkins will be harvested before and after Tet (Lunar New Year), fetching much higher prices and requiring significantly less care than rice cultivation.

Like Mr. Nam, many other families in Cam Son commune are entering the peak season for winter crop production. Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the Cam Son Commune People's Committee, said that in 2013, the commune planted 32 hectares of green squash and 25.3 hectares of vegetables and beans, yielding high productivity. This year, with weather forecasts predicting more favorable conditions than last year, the commune aims to plant 250 hectares of corn, over 62 hectares of green squash and vegetables, and 32 hectares of tea. Before the start of the production season, the commune continues to provide technical training to the people, dredge the irrigation canal system, and direct people to plant high-yield, disease-resistant varieties. Simultaneously, they are developing specialized farming areas for crops such as squash, corn, and vegetables, with the goal of further expanding the number of fields generating 50 million VND/hectare.

Winter vegetable production in Cam Son commune (Anh Son district).

In other communes of Anh Son district, preparations for the 2014 winter crop are also bustling. This year, Anh Son district has structured four main agricultural crops for the winter season: corn, green squash, vegetables and legumes, and Japanese yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes. The district aims to plant 3,500 hectares of corn in alluvial plains, valley land, and double-cropped rice fields. Hybrid corn varieties that have been tested and yielded high productivity in previous years, such as VS 36, NK 7328, AG 69, LVN 102, PAC 339, and PAC 669, will continue to be expanded and become the main crop for the winter season. In addition, the district strives to plant 150 hectares of squash, 286 hectares of vegetables and legumes, and 150 hectares of sweet potatoes. They are gradually building brands such as Cam Son pumpkin, Vinh Son mustard greens, hybrid corn, and sweet potatoes, encouraging people to intensify cultivation during the winter season and connecting with businesses in Hanoi and Vinh City to guarantee the purchase of winter crops, so that farmers can produce with peace of mind.

Mr. Nguyen Cong The, Head of the Agriculture Department of Anh Son District, said that this year's winter crop has received high consensus from officials and people because for the past two consecutive years, Anh Son district has implemented the policy of making the winter crop the main crop and has had a good harvest. In addition, the communes have completed land conversion, creating a basis for building large-scale model fields. This winter crop, the district is piloting a model field of 43 hectares of densely planted corn in Hung Son commune, piloting the cultivation of export-quality chili peppers in Tuong Son and Hoa Son communes, and building two large-scale model fields for growing green squash in Cam Son and Linh Son communes. “With the motto of ensuring a stable, sustainable, and efficient winter crop production, the district has directed the communes to develop winter crop production plans based on the seasonal calendar and the district's overall plan. We believe that this year, Anh Son district will exceed the set targets and continue to have a successful winter crop,” Mr. The affirmed.

Text and photos:Thuy Linh