The Golden Season in Plei Tho Ga

(GLO) - In the early days of 2026, the Plei Tho Ga rice fields (Chu Puh commune, Gia Lai province) were bustling as they entered the Winter-Spring crop season. The sounds of tillage machines mingled with the cheerful laughter and conversations of farmers, echoing across the fields, signaling the start of a new production season filled with excitement.

There, the joy of the farmers is closely tied to the cool, refreshing water from the Plei Tho Ga irrigation system – a project considered a crucial "lever" for sustainable agricultural production in the southern part of the province.

From arid fields to irrigated rice paddies

Not long ago, the Plei Tho Ga rice fields were a source of worry for generations of farmers. Lacking irrigation water, production depended entirely on rainwater, allowing for only one crop per year, mainly corn and cassava, with very low yields. In some years, prolonged droughts caused the land to crack, crops to wither, and poverty clung relentlessly to the people.

Locals are busy preparing the land for the winter-spring rice crop in the Plei Thơ Ga fields. Photo: Hà Duy

Mr. Rơ Lan Bét (from Plei Thơ Ga village) shared: “In the past, we relied on the weather for farming. If the rain came late, it meant a crop failure. Some years, we only had enough rice to eat. We didn't harvest much corn or cassava either. In general, we were very happy if we had enough to eat for the whole year; no family had any surplus.”

This reality makes crop diversification, increasing crop yields, or adopting new techniques almost impossible. Many households have to abandon their fields to work as laborers, and agricultural production lacks motivation and long-term confidence.

The real turning point came when the Plei Tho Ga irrigation project was completed and put into operation in 2021. With a storage capacity of approximately 10 million cubic meters, the system of reservoirs and canals has brought cool water to every rice paddy.

Thanks to the availability of irrigation water year-round, the once barren fields have taken on a new appearance: greener, more fertile, and most importantly, allowing people to apply various farming methods.

On an area of ​​over 320 hectares, people have boldly switched from producing one rice crop per year to two to three crops per year. New, high-yield rice varieties such as Dai Thom 8, Huong Chau 6, Vietnam 20, etc., have been introduced, yielding an average of about 7 tons per hectare.

Not only do many households have enough food for their families, but they also have rice to sell as a commodity, significantly improving their income.

Effectiveness of the project

With a total investment of 229 billion VND from the central and provincial budgets, the Plei Thơ Ga irrigation reservoir not only serves to irrigate approximately 620 hectares of rice fields but also provides water for more than 1,000 hectares of industrial crops in Chư Pưh commune and surrounding areas.

More importantly, the project has contributed to stabilizing the livelihoods of the people, mainly ethnic minorities, in a large populated area.

In the middle of the rice fields, during the planting season, Mr. Rơ Lan Bét couldn't hide his excitement: "Now that we have enough water, rice farming is much easier, and the yield is higher, so everyone is happy. My family alone has 1.1 hectares of paddy fields where we grow two crops, and the rice we produce is not only enough for our own consumption but also has a surplus to sell."

Mr. Rơ Lan Bét (Plei Thơ Ga A village) is delighted that his rice fields have enough water. Photo: Hà Duy

According to local statistics, farmers here have sown about 80% of the area for the winter-spring rice crop so far.

The rapid and simultaneous progress demonstrates the proactive approach and confidence of farmers as they embark on a new planting season.

The Plei Thơ Ga irrigation project not only provided water but also brought about a fundamental change in production thinking.

From fragmented farming practices dependent on nature, people have gradually moved towards planned production processes, learning to select suitable seeds, applying technological advancements, and adhering to seasonal schedules.

Ms. Rơ Mah H'Nhân - Party Secretary and Head of Plei H Lốp village - said: "Right from the beginning of the season, the village mobilized the villagers to dredge and clean the irrigation canals in the fields to facilitate water flow to the rice paddies. Even with water, if the canals aren't kept clear, it's difficult to achieve optimal results. The villagers understood this and worked together very actively."

Meanwhile, Mr. Vo Thanh Hung, an official of the Farmers' Association of Chu Puh commune, assessed: The Plei Tho Ga irrigation project is the foundation for implementing activities to support farmers.

Through propaganda and training, farmers have learned to select new varieties, produce in a safe manner, and increase the value per unit area. With a stable water supply, all technical solutions become feasible.

To maximize the effectiveness of the reservoir, funding from national and local target programs is continuing to be invested in improving the canal system. The synchronization from the reservoir to the field canals not only helps reduce water loss but also creates conditions for expanding the irrigated area and improving the efficiency of the infrastructure.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/mua-vang-plei-tho-ga-post578612.html