Farmers in Anh Son are excitedly harvesting their early winter crops.

Tuong Son commune has always been a leading locality in the movement to cultivate winter corn on double-cropped rice land in Anh Son district. On the vast green fields of glutinous corn in Hamlet 7, Tuong Son commune, farmers are bustling to the fields to harvest from early morning.

bna- bí xanh .jpeg — Farmers in Cam Son commune grow green pumpkins. Photo: Thai Hien

As one of the households growing a large amount of glutinous corn in the village, Mr. Thai Ba Hung shared: "Previously, during the winter season, all of my family's rice fields were left fallow. But now, with the local government's policy of planting corn on rice land, after harvesting the summer-autumn rice crop, my family immediately starts preparing the land to plant corn. This year, my family planted 3 sao (approximately 0.3 hectares) of glutinous corn, and thanks to planting early, after 70 days of care, the corn is ready for harvest."

According to Mr. Hung, his family planted glutinous corn because it is a high-yielding crop. After harvesting the ears for sale, the family can also utilize the stalks and leaves as animal feed. Glutinous corn grown in this area is both sticky and sweet, making it popular in markets both within and outside the district. Currently, his family sells it to traders for 1,500 - 1,800 VND per ear. After deducting expenses, Mr. Hung's family earns 4-5 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters).

These days, the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly in Hamlet 7, Tuong Son Commune, is busy harvesting cucumbers grown on their rice paddies. Ms. Ly shared: "In previous years, when growing cucumbers in the winter, my family started planting in November. During the harvest season, because everyone in the area planted at the same time, we faced difficulties in selling our produce. This year, we planted earlier, and now we have a harvest and are selling at a better price. Currently, with an area of over 1.2 acres planted with cucumbers, my family harvests 5-6 yến (approximately 120 kg) each day. At a price of 15-20 thousand VND/kg, after deducting expenses, my family will earn a profit of 6 million VND per acre by the end of the season."

Mr. Nguyen Tai Quy, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Son commune, said: This year, the entire Tuong Son commune is cultivating 147 hectares of third-crop corn on double-cropped rice land and 40 hectares of vegetables, concentrated mainly in hamlets 4, 6, 7, and 12. Regarding corn, in addition to planting corn for grain and fodder for buffaloes and cows, this year the people are also planting glutinous corn for selling the ears.

bna- rau .jpeg — Cucumbers planted early have a favorable market. Photo: Thai Hien

To achieve the set targets for the third corn crop on double-cropped rice land, as soon as the summer-autumn rice harvest was complete, the People's Committee of Tuong Son commune held a meeting with the villages to implement the winter crop production plan. The People's Committee requested that commune officials in charge of the villages regularly monitor their assigned areas, gather information, and report on the winter crop production situation to the People's Committee. In addition, the Cooperative, in coordination with the Farmers' Association, proactively contacted, arranged, and supplied sufficient seeds to ensure timely planting for farmers. With these methods, winter crop production in Tuong Son commune has become well-established, and the people are voluntarily going to the fields to produce. These days, farmers are beginning to harvest some crops such as glutinous corn and cucumbers, with the joy of a good harvest and good prices. With such stable prices, after deducting expenses, farmers are earning 80-100 million VND per hectare.

Along with Tuong Son commune, farmers in Thach Son commune are also harvesting vegetables. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam from Hamlet 5, Thach Son commune, shared that this winter season, her family mainly grows cabbage, gourd leaves (for harvesting), green beans, and regular cabbage. These are traditional crops of the locality. Currently, the cabbage and gourd have been harvested for more than a week now. On average, her family harvests 50 bunches of cabbage and 20 bunches of gourd leaves per day, priced from 3,000 to 5,000 VND per bunch, providing a stable income of 200,000 to 250,000 VND. After deducting expenses, an average of 5 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of early winter vegetables yields a profit of about 5 million VND per sao. Currently, the family is taking advantage of the time to care for other vegetables and fruits to ensure a supply of fresh vegetables for the upcoming Tet holiday.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Thach Son commune, said: Thach Son commune has a long tradition of specialized vegetable production in Anh Son district. This winter season, the entire commune has nearly 20 hectares of land planted with vegetables. Currently, farmers are entering the harvest season for cabbage and gourds. Prices are stable at the beginning of the season, and sales are favorable. Currently, the selling price of cabbage at the field is 3,000 VND/bundle, and gourds are 4,000 VND/bundle. At these prices, each plot of early winter vegetables is yielding an average income of 5 to 6 million VND.

To achieve high yields in the winter crop season, the Party Committee and local government of Thach Son commune have implemented a comprehensive set of solutions, creating a high-quality vegetable growing area in the locality. First, they encouraged farmers to convert less productive land to commercial vegetable cultivation. They planned the growing areas, arranged suitable crop varieties, and prioritized introducing new high-yield and high -economic- value crops to diversify production and increase people's income. They also educated farmers on applying safe food practices in planting and caring for crops, and using fertilizers effectively to improve product quality.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thai, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Anh Son district, said: This year's winter crop saw the entire district planting 2,878 hectares, including 2,460 hectares of winter corn, 380 hectares of various vegetables such as gourds and pumpkins; and 38 hectares of sweet potatoes. Currently, some early-sown crops have already been harvested, such as glutinous corn and cucumbers in Tuong Son commune; gourds and pumpkins in Duc Son commune; and leafy greens in Thach Son and Vinh Son communes…

bna- ngô .jpeg — Farmers in Anh Son sell their winter sticky corn crop. Photo: Thai Hien

Due to the early harvest and the transitional period between seasons, the supply of vegetables and fruits is not yet abundant, resulting in favorable market conditions and good prices. This creates an encouraging environment for people to further expand the area planted with winter crops, especially cold-loving vegetables, to meet market demand.

To ensure the good growth and development of winter vegetable crops, Anh Son district has propagated and encouraged people to adhere to the correct planting schedule, directed localities, and encouraged farmers to convert less productive land to commercial vegetable cultivation. In particular, to encourage farmers to actively produce winter crops, right from the beginning of the season, the Anh Son District People's Committee has provided a subsidy of 1.3 million VND/ha for corn and vegetable seeds on double-cropped rice land and 10 million VND/ha for potato seeds on alluvial land with guaranteed product purchase agreements.

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