The 2026 summer-autumn rice crop is facing numerous challenges as planting progress is slower than planned. Prolonged hot weather, the risk of drought and saltwater intrusion, along with unstable rice prices, have significantly impacted farmers' morale and production decisions. The agricultural sector is strengthening pest and disease forecasting, proactively adjusting planting schedules, and implementing various solutions to ensure production safety for this rice crop.
 |
| Local authorities need to proactively adjust seasonal schedules and production structures accordingly. |
According to the 2026 Summer-Autumn crop production plan, the entire province is expected to sow nearly 110,000 hectares of rice. Specifically, in the first two planting periods, nearly 60,000 hectares must be completed by mid-May. However, to date, the actual sown area has only reached over 18,500 hectares, equivalent to about 31% of the plan. In some localities, the sowing progress is very slow due to farmers' concerns about unfavorable weather conditions and the low production efficiency.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tung (from Hieu Thanh commune) said that the prolonged heatwave has caused water levels in many canals to drop, so his family hasn't dared to plant yet. Meanwhile, rice prices are low, but the cost of fertilizers and pesticides has increased, causing many farmers to wait for stable rainfall before sowing to reduce risks.
According to experts, the prolonged delay in planting could lead to overlapping planting seasons, causing uneven development of rice crops. This creates favorable conditions for more pests and diseases to emerge and cause more severe damage in the future.
In light of the above situation, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has issued a directive to the agricultural sector and local authorities to proactively adjust planting schedules to suit the actual conditions of each area in order to minimize damage caused by drought, water shortage, and pests.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with coordinating with irrigation facility management units and local authorities to closely monitor water resources and weather patterns in order to guide flexible and appropriate planting schedules for each production area. They should also strengthen communication and encourage farmers to only plant in areas that meet production requirements and have a reliable water supply for irrigation.
The irrigation system management unit is required to coordinate closely with local authorities in operating sluice gates and dams, regulating water resources appropriately, and ensuring sufficient water for the 2026 Summer-Autumn crop production. Field inspections should be intensified, and farmers should be guided to adopt farming practices adapted to weather conditions.
Along with adjusting the planting schedule, the agricultural sector is strengthening forecasting and pest control efforts for the summer-autumn rice crop. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Head of the Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub-Department, the hot weather interspersed with early season rains creates favorable conditions for the emergence of many pests and diseases such as golden apple snails, blast, brown spot, thrips, leaf rollers, whiteflies, stem borers, and rice weeds, especially in newly sown rice and during the tillering stage. Farmers are advised to regularly inspect their fields to detect pests and diseases early; apply cultivation methods such as sparse sowing, using disease-resistant varieties, balanced fertilization, limiting excessive nitrogen fertilization, and proactively bringing water into the fields to increase the rice plant's resistance. For leaf rollers and other pests, pesticides should only be sprayed when the density reaches a critical level to preserve natural enemies.
To ensure safe and efficient rice production in the 2026 Summer-Autumn crop season, Mr. Le Van Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that the agricultural sector will strengthen guidance and inspection of production in localities; regularly monitor water sources to proactively operate irrigation systems, promptly draw freshwater, prevent salinity intrusion, and effectively serve the production needs of the people.
In addition, localities are reviewing and repairing dikes and irrigation works that are deteriorating to ensure safe production in the face of complex weather conditions. The specialized agencies are strengthening field monitoring, forecasting pests and diseases, guiding farmers to apply appropriate farming methods, using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly, and promoting the "3 reductions, 3 increases" and "1 must, 5 reductions" models to reduce production costs. Simultaneous planting to avoid brown planthopper infestations is being organized in each sub-region, limiting the number of intercropped rice varieties to reduce the risk of brown planthopper outbreaks, yellow dwarf/leaf curl disease, and other pests and diseases; proactively adjusting the production structure to suit areas with low rice production efficiency.
With synchronized solutions ranging from adjusting planting schedules and proactively managing water resources to enhancing forecasting and pest control, the agricultural sector expects to minimize risks and ensure the successful production of the 2026 Summer-Autumn rice crop.
Text and photos: NGUYEN KHANG
Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202605/chu-dong-dieu-chinh-lich-thoi-vu-lua-he-thu-2026-eec36c2/
Comment (0)