Bao Yen: Coping with drought and water shortage in production

Due to the impact of storm No. 3 (September 2024), many irrigation and water supply works in Bao Yen district were severely damaged, greatly affecting agricultural production. Local authorities have been implementing many solutions to cope with drought and lack of water for production.

According to statistics, Xuan Hoa commune has more than 158 hectares of agricultural land damaged (including 80 hectares of rice fields), 3.2 km of irrigation canals buried and damaged by storm No. 3. Immediately after the flood, the commune government mobilized people to urgently repair the damaged areas, dredge the canals, clear the flow, temporarily reinforce damaged sections, and ensure irrigation for agricultural production. However, due to the large amount of buried sand and soil, many canals are currently unable to supply water for production.

The family of Ms. Ly Thi Hoi, Cuong 2 village, Xuan Hoa commune, has 5 sao of rice fields and 4 sao of corn. Due to the impact of floods and rains, the entire cultivated area is buried deep under a layer of sandy soil. More than 6 months have passed, the family has spent a lot of effort to improve the land but cannot grow rice because the fields are currently higher than the irrigation works. Faced with this reality, the family has switched to growing chili and squash, and has to spend more money to pump water from the pond to irrigate the plants.

Cuong 2 village's fields, which are over 30 hectares wide (including 22 hectares of rice and 8 hectares of vegetables), were buried under a thick layer of soil after the floods. Mr. Ly Van Ngan, Secretary of the village Party Cell, shared: Due to the impact of storms and floods, the entire irrigation canal system for the village's fields was buried under soil. The village mobilized excavators and hundreds of workers from the villagers to dig the soil and clear the flow to get water for production. However, due to the amount of buried soil being too thick, on average about 1 meter higher than before, the fields were higher than the canals in some places, making it impossible to produce. With the propaganda and mobilization of the commune government, households have switched to growing vegetables and vegetables.

Mr. Hoang Van Nham, Vice Chairman of Xuan Hoa Commune People's Committee informed: In the 2024 - 2025 winter-spring crop, the commune has overcome and put into cultivation more than 23/80 hectares of rice fields, the remaining area must be converted to other crops that require less irrigation water such as peanuts, corn, potatoes, squash, chili... with the determination not to leave the land empty.

In 2025, Bao Yen district will cultivate nearly 5,600 hectares, of which spring rice is 2,495 hectares, summer-autumn rice is 2,790 hectares, and upland crops are 284.78 hectares. According to survey data, the forecasted area of ​​crops at risk of drought and water shortage in 2025 is 410 hectares (winter-spring rice is 251.4 hectares; summer-autumn rice is 83.7 hectares; irrigated upland crops are 74.9 hectares). To ensure output compared to the plan in harsh weather conditions and lack of water for production, the District People's Committee has directed specialized departments and offices to coordinate with communes and towns to strengthen measures to use water economically and apply advanced irrigation solutions to save water for rice and upland crops (SRI, drip, sprinkler, etc.).

At the same time, speed up the construction of irrigation works, especially completing the canal system in areas at risk of drought, increasing the capacity to supply water for agricultural production; organize dredging of canals, prepare enough materials and fuel for pumps at local water shortage points; build temporary dams, drill wells to proactively source water for drought prevention.

Along with that, propagate and guide people to use short-term, drought-resistant rice and corn varieties and some local, drought-resistant rice varieties; at the same time, apply integrated pest control measures to improve crop productivity and quality. Increase dissemination of information on meteorology, hydrology, and drought; guide and disseminate experiences in saving water and preventing drought so that people know and are aware of using water economically and effectively.

According to the forecast of the authorities, the weather has many unusual developments, the possibility of early season rains appearing later means that the water supply will be slow. To stabilize production, more than ever, people need to use water reasonably and economically.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bao-yen-ung-pho-voi-han-han-thieu-nuoc-trong-san-xuat-post399880.html