Warning of pests from dead rice fields in Nghe An

This summer-autumn crop, in many localities in Nghe An, instead of planting on time, thousands of hectares of rice fields have been left alone to let the regenerated rice (rice straw) grow naturally. This situation not only leads to consequences for productivity but also poses the risk of widespread pest outbreaks.

Clip: Van Truong

In mid-June, walking along the fields in Dien Dong, Dien Thai, Dien Lam communes (Dien Chau district), instead of the usual bustling production scene, people come across fields of green and yellow dead rice. The plants grow sparsely, in the stage of ripening.

Mr. Tran Minh Tam - a farmer in Dien Lam commune said that his family currently has 2 sao of rice for regeneration. "Compared to cultivated rice, the investment cost for dead rice is much lower, no need to plow, no need to fertilize or spray much, light care. But the yield is only 60 - 80 kg/sao, which is not much profit," Mr. Tam shared.

Vast abandoned rice fields in Dien Chau district. Photo: Van Truong

According to statistics from the People's Committee of Dien Lam commune, the whole commune only planted about 100 hectares of summer-autumn rice, leaving more than 100 hectares for rice regeneration. Mr. Ta Thanh Hao - Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, explained: "People are afraid of summer-autumn production because it depends on dam water, high production costs, difficult to hire workers, and complicated pests and diseases, so they choose the solution of letting the rice die to reduce risks."

Dien Chau district has about 6,000 hectares of summer-autumn rice, of which 1,500 hectares are rice husks. According to Mr. Le The Hieu - Deputy Head of the district's Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: "Leaving rice husks is not recommended by the industry, but people's farming habits are very difficult to change."

Dead rice fields pose a risk of disease outbreaks in the following rice seasons. Photo: Van Truong

Not only in Dien Chau, the same situation is also happening in Quynh Luu district. Along the communes such as Quynh Hung, Quynh Ba, Quynh Giang, Quynh Dien... many dead rice fields are blooming, showing no signs of being cared for.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Quang - a farmer in Quynh Hung commune shared: "The land is deep and prone to flooding, and fertilizer prices are increasing. If you prepare the land and plant crops but encounter bad weather, it will be considered a total loss. Although the yield of rice is low, it is considered as an additional 70 - 80 kg/sao if favorable."

Mr. Tran Binh Trong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Hung commune said that the whole commune has about 200 hectares of rice, but most of the people let it die. The government has promoted and mobilized people but encountered many difficulties due to fear of weather and pests.

In the whole Quynh Luu district, the 2025 summer-autumn crop will be planted on more than 4,500 hectares, of which over 1,400 hectares will be rice husks. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Truong - Head of the district's Department of Agriculture and Environment, most of the rice husks are ineffective, the district is directing communes to guide people to convert suitable crop structures in areas that do not ensure conditions for summer-autumn rice production.

According to statistics from the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection of Nghe An province, this summer-autumn crop, the whole province planted more than 80,000 hectares of rice; For brown rice, the province has about 3,500 hectares. These areas are concentrated in the districts: Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Yen Thanh and Hoang Mai town.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc - Head of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, affirmed: "Rice with stubble is not included in the recommended production structure because the yield is very low, usually only 1/4 to 1/3 compared to normal rice, and in many places, nothing is harvested. More importantly, leaving rice with stubble is an ideal environment for pathogens to survive and spread to the next crop."

Hundreds of hectares of rice fields in Quynh Luu district. Photo: Van Truong

According to Mr. Duc, the rice plants that have been left in the fields for too long, without soil treatment, are an ideal habitat for rats and fungi. "This is a bridge for dangerous pests and many other viruses. In the long run, it will seriously affect the productivity and quality of the main rice crops," Mr. Duc emphasized./.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/canh-bao-o-sau-benh-tu-nhung-canh-dong-lua-chet-o-nghe-an-10299660.html