Solutions for crops that are "overwhelmed by drought"

With the 2026 dry season approaching, Lam Dong's agricultural sector needs to proactively implement appropriate crop cultivation solutions to ensure farmers' livelihoods and contribute to stabilizing the agricultural supply chain to the market.

Farmers need to proactively dig small ponds and reservoirs to store irrigation water, ensuring crop growth during prolonged dry seasons.

Local drought occurs from April to June.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in Lam Dong province in 2026, the intensity of prolonged heatwaves will be higher than the multi-year average, with a risk of localized drought from April to June. The total cultivated area in the province is currently approximately 1,048,663 hectares, including 622,873 hectares of perennial crops and 425,790 hectares of annual crops. Notably, nearly 150,000 hectares in the province have been certified for sustainable production according to domestic and international standards.

To proactively secure irrigation water, farmer Nguyen Van Doa in Nam Ha commune, Lam Ha district, continues to dredge ponds and lakes near his garden, ensuring a water depth of around 3 meters. The pond, with a surface area of ​​300 m² ^, draws water from a mountain stream to store and use on over 1 hectare of high-tech vegetables in his garden, while also supplying water to many hectares of industrial crops for surrounding farmers. “This year’s dry season, I converted nearly 1 hectare of low-yield crops to planting new passion fruit and hydroponic lettuce, investing hundreds of millions of dong in a recirculating hydroponic system and water-saving irrigation, adapting to changing weather conditions…,” Mr. Doa said.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, Head of the Information and Training Department of the Lam Dong Agricultural Extension Center, with drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation methods during the dry season, farmers should apply them in the early morning or late afternoon, maintaining soil moisture at 60-70%, saving 40-60% of water compared to flood irrigation. At the same time, prioritize the use of organic fertilizers to improve soil structure, thereby enhancing water retention and promoting the activity of beneficial microorganisms.

Combining decomposed organic fertilizer with biological preparations (such as the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma) will create a natural "immune system," restoring the root system weakened by heat shock. In addition, utilizing agricultural by- products such as coffee husks and well-rotted manure can meet the nutritional needs of plants at each growth stage.

Replenishing soil ecosystems

For farmer Nguyen Thi Choan in Dam Rong 2 commune, who practices organic farming and livestock raising according to standard procedures, a sufficient and clean water supply is essential during the dry season. Therefore, Ms. Choan invested in installing a rust-resistant water pipeline system, hundreds of meters long, running deep beneath the Bang Lang reservoir, connecting to her approximately 17,000 m² farm ^. Within this area, about 1,200 m² is allocated ^to ponds for raising sturgeon and eels in a circulating water environment, providing irrigation for hundreds of durian and rambutan trees, as well as coffee plantations covering a total area of ​​15,800 ^m² .

Analysis by the Lam Dong Agricultural Extension Center shows that: In each garden, farmers absolutely do not completely remove weeds but only cut them close to the ground, combining this with maximum utilization of organic materials, by-products such as straw, dry grass, plant residues, and coffee husks to maintain a "green buffer" that helps reduce heat radiation, limit leaf burn, and prevent flower and fruit drop. Farmers need to proactively prune branches, create an airy canopy, and concentrate nutrients on important parts of the plant; review and dredge the irrigation canal system, store water in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, ensuring sufficient water for crops during prolonged dry weather conditions...

In the context of unpredictable weather patterns, the synchronized application of technical solutions, strengthening the organic nutrient base, and protecting vegetation cover not only helps crops successfully overcome drought but also replenishes the soil ecosystem; combined with rational cost management, this helps farmers maintain production efficiency and increase income.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/giai-phap-cho-cay-trong-vuot-han-435975.html