Lessons in overcoming difficulties from the corn plant.

The 2024-2025 winter-spring crop season has concluded with a remarkable achievement for the agricultural sector in Yen Bai province. From a season that seemed destined for total loss, Yen Bai farmers can now smile as they reap the rewards thanks to timely support policies from the government. This year's winter-spring crop season has been a highlight for corn, with exceptional growth in both area and yield.

At the end of 2024, Typhoon No. 3 struck Yen Bai province, causing severe damage to agricultural production. Hundreds of hectares of rice and other crops were flooded and completely destroyed. People faced the risk of losing their entire winter crop. In this context, a swift decision was made: converting the damaged rice fields to winter crops, especially corn, a crop that is both easy to cultivate and highly profitable .

Immediately after Typhoon No. 3 passed, with support from various sources, the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) quickly received and distributed plant seeds and fertilizers to localities at the right time, helping farmers to start production right away. Specifically: 47.6 tons of corn seeds, including PSC102, PSC747, VINO 688, 9979C, and 213 tons of fertilizer, including 193 tons of organic fertilizer and 20 tons of inorganic fertilizer (NPK).

To ensure a successful winter-spring crop production, Yen Binh district mobilized the entire political system. The District People's Committee requested that communes establish and strengthen steering committees for winter crop production, assigning tasks to each member responsible for specific villages and hamlets. The district promptly provided seeds and fertilizers to support people in expanding the area under winter crops.

Accordingly, Yen Binh district allocated 2,000 kg of various corn seeds, 10 tons of NPK fertilizer, and 40 tons of microbial organic fertilizer to 24 communes and towns. As a result, this year's winter-spring crop saw the entire district planting 750 hectares of corn, achieving 100% of the plan, including an additional 50 hectares allocated as part of the production restoration plan due to the impact of typhoon No. 3.

Thanks to the decisive involvement of local authorities at all levels, the support of the agricultural sector, and the determination of the people, the area planted with winter corn throughout the province reached nearly 6,746 hectares, an increase of 20.51% compared to the same period last year. Production reached nearly 23,417 tons, an increase of 21.93% (equivalent to more than 4,200 tons). This is an impressive increase given the production conditions still affected by typhoon No. 3.

This surge was mainly recorded in the districts of Van Yen, Tran Yen, Yen Binh, and Luc Yen, where farmers had early access to policies supporting crop seeds and fertilizers, as well as receiving systematic guidance on farming techniques.

Mr. Tran Dinh Trong, Head of the Agriculture and Environment Department of Van Yen District, shared: "We have instructed the communes to make maximum use of the land used for two rice crops to grow corn, and not let the land lie fallow. Every day of delay means another opportunity for a lost harvest. It's a race against time."

To achieve such results, localities simultaneously established steering committees for winter crop production. Officials were specifically assigned to be in charge of each village and hamlet. In many localities such as Luc Yen, Tran Yen, and Van Yen districts, the government not only distributed agricultural supplies but also directly guided people in improving the soil, selecting suitable seeds, and cultivating using proper techniques.

In Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh district, considered a bright spot in winter crop production, people are no longer waiting but are proactively switching to planting corn after harvesting the summer rice crop. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu from Chanh Yen village said: "My family plants winter corn every year, but this year we planted more because we received support with seeds and fertilizer. The corn is not only for livestock feed but also for sale; the leaves are fed to buffaloes and cows, and the stalks are used as fuel, so nothing is wasted."

Not only supported by policies, farmers in Yen Bai this year have also demonstrated quick and sensitive adaptation to real-world conditions. From land preparation, seed selection, planting to care, people have applied many technical advancements to improve productivity. High-yielding hybrid corn varieties with short growing seasons have been introduced into mass production. Some well-cultivated areas have even exceeded initial production targets. This is the foundation for the sustainable development of agricultural production in Yen Bai province.

From "floods" to "golden harvests," corn has become a symbol of the resilience and adaptability of Yen Bai farmers. This year's harvest story, therefore, is not simply about a successful crop, but a lesson in overcoming difficulties through solidarity, timely guidance, and practical policies. Yen Bai's agricultural sector hopes to continue this recovery in subsequent seasons. And corn, once a temporary solution, has become a new source of hope on the journey to prosperity from the fields.

In 2025, the entire province achieved nearly 6,746 hectares of winter corn, an increase of 20.51% compared to the same period of the previous year. Production reached nearly 23,417 tons, an increase of 21.93% (equivalent to more than 4,200 tons). This dramatic increase was mainly recorded in the districts of Van Yen, Tran Yen, Yen Binh, and Luc Yen. This result is due to the decisive involvement of the entire political system and the farmers' quick and responsive adaptation to the actual conditions.

Hong Duyen

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/349743/Bai-hoc-vuot-kho-tu-cay-ngo.aspx