As the floodwaters recede, farmers head to the fields to catch fish.

As floodwaters recede, farmers in the Dong Thap Muoi region of Tay Ninh province head to the fields to catch fish. Although the amount of fish caught is not as much as in previous years, the people are happy to have a source of income to support their lives.

People in the Dong Thap Muoi region (Tay Ninh province) fish during the flood season.

Along the roads of the communes of Binh Hoa, Binh Hiep, Vinh Chau, Tuyen Binh, Vinh Hung, and Tan Hung, it's not difficult to spot people sitting together sorting out freshwater fish, crabs, and eels after harvesting.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (residing in Binh Hiep commune) said: "During the dry season, my family cultivates 2 hectares of land for rice production, and during the rainy season, we fish to earn extra income and improve our lives." According to Mr. Thanh, in previous years at this time, there were plenty of fish, and he could earn 500,000-700,000 VND per day. This year, although the floodwaters are high, the amount of fish has decreased. Each day, he catches about ten kilograms of fish (snakehead, catfish, tilapia), and after deducting expenses, he earns about 300,000-400,000 VND.

Every day, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh catches about ten kilograms of fish, earning approximately 300,000-400,000 VND after deducting expenses.

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Van Nghiem and Mrs. Bui Thi Phuong (residents of Phong My commune, Dong Thap province) have been fishing for over a decade. Every flood season, they prepare their fishing gear and head to Tan Hung commune to fish. “Each day, our family catches 15-20 kg of various types of fish, earning 400,000-500,000 VND. This income seems quite good in a rural area, because the cost of living and food here is low,” Mr. Nghiem said.

Although the fish catch isn't as abundant as in previous years, the locals still earn extra income from fishing. Every flood season, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai (from Vinh Chau commune) paddles his boat along the canals and fields behind his house, casting his nets. With over 1,300 meters of net, Mr. Hai catches 20-30 kg of fish (carp, tilapia, and other species) daily. He grinds this fish into fish cakes to sell to local people, earning 400,000-500,000 VND per day after deducting expenses. "Usually, when the flood recedes, we catch more fish, earning over a million VND a day," Mr. Hai said.

The locals bring the fish to sell to traders.

According to Mr. Tran Nhat Khanh (residing in Vinh Chau commune), who works as a fish buyer during the flood season, as the floodwaters recede, people are starting to concentrate on catching fish. On average, he buys 300-400 kg of freshwater fish per day, mainly snakehead, catfish, and other similar species. Typically, as the water in the rice fields dries up, the amount of freshwater fish caught and sold by the locals increases.

Every year, the flood season brings many livelihoods to the people. Some fish with hooks and nets, while others harvest water lilies, water hyacinths, and water chives. These are natural products that help people earn extra income and improve their lives.

Van Dat

Source: https://baolongan.vn/lu-rut-nong-dan-ra-dong-bat-ca-a206601.html