Winter crops create lush green fields in Yen Ninh.

Implementing a two-tiered local government model has opened up new development opportunities for Yen Ninh commune after the merger, both in terms of population and natural area, including a significant expansion of agricultural land to 1,400 hectares. The first Party Congress of the commune, for the 2025-2030 term, identified six key programs, prioritizing the planning and development of large-scale commercial agriculture using high technology; forming large model fields and specialized farming areas; and creating key products with high competitiveness. By 2030, the locality aims to accumulate over 270 hectares of land, including 40 hectares for high-tech production; with product value per hectare reaching 200 million VND or more. Currently, the commune's Party committee and government are focusing on restoring winter crop production to compensate for the food production lost due to storms and heavy rains.

Winter crop fields in Yen Ninh commune.

Recognizing the significant market potential of winter crops, many of which can be processed for export, such as chili peppers, sweet peppers, tomatoes, melons, and sweet corn, the commune has a long tradition of successful winter crop production and its people are hardworking. To capitalize on this potential, the commune has focused on directing farmers to quickly prepare the land and plant winter crops as soon as the rice harvest is completed. For the 2025 winter crop season, the commune planned to plant 420 hectares. Due to the impact of several storms, the planted area decreased, but some key crops with high economic value, such as melons, green squash, gourds, sweet corn, chili peppers, and tomatoes, were still encouraged by the commune. This was not only to strive to meet the provincial target but also to increase the economic value and income of the people. After the natural disasters, the commune and cooperatives provided 70,000 VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of corn, and the province donated 100 kg of vegetable seeds, which the commune distributed evenly to all 20 villages for production.

Currently, it is the peak of the winter crop season. In the fields of the commune, many crops have grown lush and green, and many plots have yielded successful harvests. Therefore, farmers in Yen Ninh commune are even more enthusiastic and busy tending to and harvesting short-term winter crops to supply the market.

Taking a break from harvesting sweet peppers, Mrs. Pham Thi Tam from Hamlet 1 said: “My family grows more than 3 sao (approximately 3,000 square meters) of chili peppers and 2.5 sao (approximately 2,000 square meters) of corn. Although winter crops are hard work due to the need for constant monitoring and control of insects and diseases, the short growing season, high yield, and economic efficiency are 3-4 times higher than rice cultivation. These crops have been grown by households in Hamlet 1 for many years. Compared to other seasons, the winter crop yields higher economic returns, so we are enthusiastic about farming and don't let the land rest.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc's family cultivates 7 sao (approximately 0.7 hectares) of winter crops, including 1 sao of flowers, and the rest is sweet corn and various vegetables. Mr. Ngoc shared: "This winter crop season, almost all crops have sold well, with traders coming directly to the garden to buy them. In general, winter crops, although requiring hard work to care for, yield quick returns and high income."

For many years, the winter crop has been considered the main crop for the people of Yen Ninh commune. The people have boldly partnered with businesses and cooperatives in product distribution. The commune's agricultural service cooperative closely follows the directives of the commune's People's Committee, always accompanying and supporting the people in the production and consumption process, such as providing guidance on planting and caring techniques, measures to prevent and combat cold weather damage to crops; guiding the use of fertilizers suitable for the weather conditions and growth and development of each type of crop; regularly inspecting the fields to promptly implement pest control measures; and proactively supplying sufficient quantities of seeds and ensuring the quality of seeds and agricultural supplies for the farmers.

The commune also focuses on reviewing production areas as a basis for planning and forming large-scale, high-tech concentrated agricultural production zones; creating legal conditions for organizations and individuals to lease land for agricultural production investment. Currently, Hoa Viet Agricultural Services Co., Ltd. in the commune has invested in nearly 3 hectares of greenhouses and polytunnels, applying high technology; producing 3-4 crops per year; achieving 80-100 million VND per year after deducting expenses.

It can be said that the annual winter crop season in Yen Ninh commune always receives close and timely attention and guidance from the local Party committee and government. Every year, the commune directs the repair of culverts, dredging of canals, and embankment construction to meet the irrigation and drainage needs of the people; it also guides the staggered planting schedule to avoid a bumper harvest leading to price drops... Therefore, the commune's winter crops always yield a good income, reaching 12 million VND/sao or more, with many high-value crops such as gourd seedlings at 15 million VND/sao; sweet peppers and sweet corn at 30 million VND/sao...

Text and photos: Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cay-vu-dong-xanh-muot-ruong-dong-yen-ninh-274144.htm