Seven Mountains welcome the rainy season

Quickly clearing some grass on the bank in the pouring midday sun, Mr. Chau Pong (living in Vinh Trung commune, Tinh Bien town) could not hide his hard work with a sweaty face. However, he was quite relaxed, because he knew that the time when the land of Bay Nui was about to "reward" people was coming. "In this area, only areas with irrigation can people grow crops all year round. As for my land, we mainly rely on "heavenly water" to grow beans and corn to increase income. It has been like that for generations, and I am still attached to this arid land. If we are diligent, we will have an additional source of income to cover our household expenses" - Mr. Chau Pong said honestly.

As he pointed, the green bean field, about half a month old, was stretching under the sun, contrasting with the white sand around. That was the result of his hard work, awakening the silent ground during the dry season. This year, it rained a few times early, then came a long dry spell, so he left the soil to dry for a while. At the end of April, it rained more heavily, the soil was cool enough to incubate the seeds. The bean shoots stretched out in the hot weather, carrying the hope of this Khmer farmer for the days ahead. He calculated: “If it rains a few more times, the beans will grow quickly. At that time, I will sow a little more fertilizer, take care of them for another month and harvest the fruit. This year, I will try to get 3 crops in the rainy season. Our ancestors also relied on “heaven’s water” to grow crops, so we must try to be diligent. If we work hard, the land will not let us down!”

Busy for the new season

In Chau Pong’s sun-wrinkled eyes, I knew he had high expectations for this year’s rainy season. Since his youth, he has carried a hoe to the fields, living with the land, with the sky, with the rainy season coming and going on this pure white sand. I don’t remember how many months have passed, but old man Chau Pong is still attached to the land of Bay Nui. Now, his children all “go to work” and have stable salaries, so he feels relieved. Right now, he only cares about farming to support the old couple. Chau Pong confided that he still has a few hectares of rice fields, thanks to the 3/2 pumping station supplying water, so he can farm all year round, thanks to which he never lacks food.

Many farmers who have cultivated land in the highlands of Bay Nui have to live with the rainy season. In the dry months, this area is dry, the hills and grass are gray. In the rainy months, Bay Nui is green with gardens on the high hills, or the golden color of the upper-season rice fields ready for harvest. Along Provincial Road 949 from An Cu Commune, An Hao Commune (Tinh Bien Town) to Chau Lang Commune (Tri Ton District), most of the fields and fields have been plowed, just waiting for the rain to fall to sow seeds. Some fields that can store water are now green with leaves. Despite the hardship and hard work, everyone is excited, because they know they have entered the time to have a source of income.

Mr. Tran Van Binh (a resident of Ta Lot hamlet, An Hao commune) said: “Depending on the location of the land or the water source, people choose the right time to cultivate. If the land has a water reservoir, they can plant crops all year round. If the land is high, they only grow 2-3 crops during the rainy season. In low-lying areas, people also grow rice, so they have a good income. Ta Lot area is typical of seasonal farming. At this time, farmers are only working the land. In about a month, when you come back here, you will see corn fields and green bean fields. Leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables such as cucumbers and bitter melon are also present, there is no shortage of anything!”

According to this farmer, Ta Lot valley receives rainwater from Cam mountain and Dai mountain, so it can be considered the "capital" of crops in the Bay Nui region. Currently, this area has invested in stable infrastructure and is developing day by day. "In the past, there was a lack of electricity and water, but people could still survive. Now, life is more convenient, farming equipment is more complete, so everyone tries to cultivate to improve. My family is not rich, but we are not worried about hunger. Farming is hard, but people who grow gardens on the slopes and near the foot of the mountain are more prosperous this season" - Mr. Binh shared.

Following his hand, I realized that on the distant slopes were gardens of mango, custard apple, strawberry, banana... overlapping in my sight. With water, the soil underfoot was strong enough to nurture and grow lush trees and give life to a bountiful harvest. Therefore, the Ta Lot area became bustling in the rainy season, with vehicles coming into the gardens to transport fruits and vegetables to be consumed in all the markets in the area.

“We just hope that fruits and vegetables will have a stable output, so that people’s lives will be better. Currently, Provincial Road 949 is being completed, helping people’s production and trading of agricultural products become more bustling. Hopefully, Ta Lot area will continue to receive adequate investment from authorities at all levels, so that people’s lives here will increasingly improve,” Mr. Tran Van Binh hopes.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/bay-nui-don-mua-mua-a420660.html