Mekong Delta faces many risks of pests in the autumn-winter crop

(Chinhphu.vn) - According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, by the end of October 2025, the whole country had planted 7.1 million hectares of rice, of which the South reached more than 4.1 million hectares.

Pest management must be based on the principle of "prevention is key, timely treatment" - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

According to the Southern Center for Cultivation and Plant Protection, unfavorable weather and prolonged unseasonal rains are causing many pests in the Mekong Delta to be at risk of strong outbreaks, especially rice blast, leaf blight, leaf rust and leaf rollers on autumn-winter rice.

To maintain growth momentum, protecting autumn-winter crop production – especially in the Mekong Delta – is of key importance.

The entire region has now recorded over 12,200 hectares of rice infected with blast and over 7,000 hectares infected with leaf blight with a prevalence of 15-30%, concentrated in Can Tho, Vinh Long, An Giang and Tay Ninh. Professional agencies warn that if not handled promptly, the risk of losing yield at the end of the crop is very high, especially when the Mekong Delta is entering the heading - flowering stage, the time that determines yield.

In many localities, farmers said that leaf blight and blast diseases are more complicated due to erratic rain and sunshine. Along with that, many places recorded heavy rain and prolonged flooding, making care and pest management difficult. According to the Southern Plant Protection Center, rice blast disease is easily spread by wind and exists on weeds and straw, while leaf blight and bacterial leaf blight often break out in moist fields with excess nitrogen.

Experts recommend that farmers should: Clear grass and straw after harvest, reduce sowing density to limit disease sources; When the first blast cluster appears, spray the entire field, avoid local spraying; With leaf blight and silver leaf disease, drain water promptly, reduce nitrogen, increase potassium, and spray according to instructions.

In Dong Thap , the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection recorded that rice blast disease is spreading rapidly, especially from the tillering to heading stage. This agency has advised farmers to stop fertilizing when the disease appears, and to visit the fields regularly for early treatment.

In Tay Ninh, the Department of Agriculture and Environment requires districts to closely follow crop seasons, strengthen pest monitoring and guide farmers on timely treatment measures.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung requested units under the Ministry to closely monitor developments in the fields, proactively forecast and guide farmers on measures to prevent and control pests and protect rice during the sensitive period. At the same time, localities need to prepare well the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop production plan in accordance with water resources conditions and the risk of drought and salinity.

In the context of climate change, pest management must be based on the principle of "prevention is key, timely treatment", combined with sustainable farming techniques. The initiative of farmers and the support of professional sectors and businesses will be the decisive factor for the Mekong Delta to protect the autumn-winter crop yield and maintain its role as the national rice granary.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/dbscl-doi-mat-nhieu-nguy-co-dich-hai-vu-thu-dong-102251117184041349.htm