The constant hum of water pumps day and night, and the long stretches of water pipes across the slopes of the coffee plantations, demonstrate the proactive approach of coffee growers in irrigating early and maintaining the growth rhythm of the area's main crop.
Responding to adverse weather conditions and pests
In recent years, early irrigation has become a widely adopted practice to help coffee plants flower more uniformly and minimize risks from unfavorable weather conditions. This year, with the early and prolonged hot weather, farmers are paying even more attention to and implementing the first irrigation cycle earlier than in previous years.
In the western communes of the province, where coffee plantations are concentrated, irrigation activities have been bustling since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. Taking advantage of the relatively abundant water sources in ponds, lakes, and wells, many households have simultaneously launched the first round of irrigation, especially in sandy areas with poor moisture retention.
Mr. Pham Van Tiep (Tan Lap village, Ia Hrung commune) said, "My family has nearly 0.6 hectares of coffee plantations and 1.5 hectares of coffee under contract with Ia Sao 2 Coffee Company. When we noticed that the coffee plants had developed flower buds, we quickly started watering them to stimulate simultaneous flowering."
This year is predicted to be very sunny, so we're taking advantage of it to water the plants early. Thanks to a basically guaranteed water supply, the watering process is going smoothly, and the plants are growing well. On average, I invest in about 3 irrigation cycles per year for my coffee plants to maintain stable yields.
According to many households, the cost of each irrigation cycle is considerable, ranging from electricity and fuel to labor and machinery maintenance costs. However, irrigating at the right time is considered a crucial "lever" to reduce subsequent care costs, limit pests and diseases, and improve the quality of the orchards.
Not only individual coffee growers, but also cooperatives and businesses in the area are proactively developing early irrigation plans to ensure the overall progress of the entire raw material region.
Mr. Trinh Khac Duong, Director of the Kon Gang Agricultural and Service Business Cooperative (Hamlet 5, Kon Gang Commune), said: The cooperative currently has 6 contributing members and is linked with 185 coffee-growing households on an area of over 320 hectares, including 64 households of ethnic minorities. At this time, the farmers are focusing on the first irrigation, mainly in sandy areas that need early watering.
To date, approximately 30% of the coffee growing area of the participating households has been irrigated. Compared to previous years, water levels in ponds, lakes, and wells remain stable and sufficient for production.
Water shortages usually only occur from the third irrigation cycle onwards. The relatively high coffee prices recently have encouraged farmers to invest boldly in production, from supplies and fertilizers to irrigation, contributing to increased economic efficiency per unit area.
Contributing to the stabilization of productivity and quality.
In some concentrated coffee-growing areas, prolonged irrigation leading up to or even throughout the Lunar New Year has become commonplace. To ensure synchronized irrigation, farmers and irrigation teams from businesses have to work in shifts, day and night, monitoring the water levels and operating the machinery.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan The, Deputy Head of the Agricultural Planning Department and Team Leader of Team 4 (Ia Sao 2 Coffee Company), said that the unit currently manages over 100 hectares of coffee and has started irrigating since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. To ensure progress, the company has deployed many high-capacity pumping units, operating continuously throughout the irrigation period.
For many years, watering plants throughout the Tet holiday has become a tradition at our unit. This is a crucial period; any interruption would directly affect plant growth. Therefore, workers are arranged in shifts to ensure both production and the well-being and morale of the plants during the days leading up to Tet.
According to Mr. The, although it is more strenuous than other times of the year, the workers are well aware of the role of the first irrigation of the season in the yield of the entire crop year, and therefore proactively arrange their work and closely monitor the coffee plantations.
Mr. Nguyen Ngo Hung, Director of Ia Sao 2 Coffee Company, said: The company currently has 464 hectares of coffee under contract farming. Every year, irrigation works, pipeline systems, and pumps serving production are invested in and repaired to ensure efficient operation during the dry season.
This season, the company organized irrigation earlier than usual due to the early flower bud differentiation of the coffee plants. On average, coffee plants require three irrigation cycles per year, and in years with prolonged hot weather, a fourth irrigation cycle may be necessary. Based on preliminary assessments, the water supply this year is basically stable and sufficient for immediate production.
According to Mr. Hung, because the irrigation cycle lasts over 20 days, some of the company's irrigation teams have to start early, organizing rotational irrigation to ensure the overall progress. Although it is more strenuous, the workers and employees clearly understand the role of the first irrigation of the season in the yield of the entire crop year, and therefore proactively arrange their work to ensure that production is not interrupted.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nhon-nhip-vu-tuoi-ca-phe-dau-mua-post579853.html
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