In the early months of 2024, amidst hot weather and warnings of drought, localities in the province focusing on winter-spring crop production are facing the challenge of water shortages. In Tanh Linh district, nearly 500 hectares of rice fields are currently affected by water scarcity, so local authorities, farmers, and relevant units are coordinating efforts to address the problem.
During the 2023-2024 winter-spring crop season, the entire province planted over 50,000 hectares of short-term crops, including nearly 40,000 hectares of rice. To date, localities are beginning to harvest rice on approximately 4,000 hectares. In Tanh Linh district alone, the District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the entire district cultivated over 9,000 hectares of rice, of which about 2,000 hectares of early winter-spring rice in communes and towns such as Duc Phu, Mang To, Bac Ruong, Duc Thuan, Lac Thanh, Huy Khiem, and Gia An are in the ripening and harvesting stage, while the remaining area is mainly in the heading stage.
Mr. Mai Tri Man, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Tanh Linh district, said that in the past period, the irrigated area for the winter-spring crop from electric pumping stations and gravity-fed dams reached over 7,382 hectares, achieving 99% of the plan. However, from the beginning of January 2024 until now, under conditions of prolonged hot weather, the discharge flow of the Ham Thuan Da Mi Hydropower Plant has been low, fluctuating around 25-27 m3/s, coupled with the low water level of the La Nga River, causing difficulties in pumping water for agricultural production in the district. Currently, some areas of rice fields are experiencing water shortages, with the possibility of drought if irrigation water is not supplemented in time. A review shows that the area experiencing water shortages is approximately over 470 hectares, with rice plants aged 40-70 days. The duration of water shortages is about 5-7 days, with some areas experiencing shortages for more than 10 days.
Specifically, since the beginning of the year, Tanh Linh district has experienced two periods of water shortage for the winter-spring crop. One period occurred during Tet (February 10-16, 2024) due to the Da Mi hydropower plant releasing a low water volume of 27 m3/s under hot weather conditions, prolonging the irrigation pumping time. This resulted in some areas not receiving timely water supply, affecting rice plant growth. During this time, the local authorities regularly coordinated with relevant units and closely monitored the situation on the ground to regulate water and ensure irrigation did not cause production damage. The second period, after Tet (February 17-28, 2024), saw approximately 470 hectares in the following communes at risk of damage due to water shortage: Duc Phu (170 ha), Mang To (25 ha), Dong Kho (50 ha), Lac Thanh (25 ha), and Gia An (200 ha). Therefore, the leaders of the District People's Committee, along with relevant departments, Binh Thuan Irrigation and Drainage Construction Company Limited, and Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Joint Stock Company, conducted on-site inspections and recorded that rice production areas in the communes, totaling 470 hectares, were not receiving timely water supply, resulting in yellowing and wilting rice plants and cracked soil.
Given the above situation, to ensure water supply for irrigating over 8,500 hectares of rice fields from the heading to harvesting stages, the People's Committee of Tanh Linh district is continuing to publicly announce and promptly notify localities of the irrigation schedule, and is planning to repair and improve the canal systems under its management that are still inadequate to serve the irrigation needs for the remaining 8,500 hectares of production area for the 2023-2024 winter-spring crop and prepare for irrigation for the upcoming 2024 summer-autumn crop.
To prevent and combat drought during the winter-spring crop season, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tanh Linh district also advises farmers not to sow seeds in areas where the 2023-2024 winter-spring crop has already been harvested, and to carry out plowing and drying of the soil to kill pests and diseases, and to eliminate brown planthopper infestations. In addition, they should regularly monitor and check the water situation and promptly address any potential problems.
The People's Committee of Tánh Linh district requested the Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Joint Stock Company to adjust the generator's flow rate to 40 m3/s and operate for a minimum of 14 hours per day to support irrigation pumping for areas at risk of water shortage.
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