Promoting the effectiveness of "sweetening" rice production

In recent years, due to the impact of climate change, the weather has become increasingly extreme, especially drought and saltwater intrusion deep into the upper reaches of the Hau River... causing difficulties in agricultural production for people in the province; including the winter-spring rice crop of 2023-2024. The operation of the Canal 3/2 Pumping Station has effectively "supplied fresh water" to farmers in Tra Cu, Cau Ngang, and Duyen Hai districts in the winter-spring rice crop production.

Chairman of the People's Committee Le Van Han and other sectors inspected the situation of "sweetening" in production in the fields bordering Ngoc Bien commune (Tra Cu district) - Don Chau commune (Duyen Hai district).

In particular, in Tra Cu district and 02 communes of Don Chau and Don Xuan (Duyen Hai district) adjacent to the coastal area; this is the first year in winter-spring rice production, the freshwater source is basically guaranteed to serve rice production compared to previous years.

During the recent survey and inspection of agricultural production (March 2, 2024) in Tra Cu and Duyen Hai districts, comrade Le Van Han, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, highly appreciated the proactive role of providing "fresh" water from the 3/2 Canal Pumping Station to the downstream areas, adjacent to coastal districts.

In particular, the current winter-spring rice fields in Ngoc Bien commune (Tra Cu district), Don Xuan (Duyen Hai district), and the mound area are areas that often face difficulties in fresh water sources during drought and salinity. Currently, this area basically has enough water to serve rice production and "supply fresh water" to surrounding areas from the 3/2 Canal Pumping Station system.

Due to the impact of saltwater encroaching upstream on the Hau River, the main sluice gates along the Hau River have been closed (photo: Rach Rum sluice gate, Cau Ke district, closed to prevent saltwater intrusion).

In the winter-spring rice crop, farmers in Tra Cu district have planted 13,218 hectares, reaching 104.5% of the plan (12,650 hectares). Of which, the panicle initiation stage is 10,920 hectares, and the flowering-ripening stage is 2,099 hectares. In the context of climate change and unfavorable weather conditions for agricultural production (saltwater, drought, etc.), the water demand for the panicle initiation-ripening rice area in the district is about 10,920 hectares.

Mr. Le Phuc Hien, Director of Ngoc Bien Agricultural Cooperative, Tra Cu District, said: This year's weather conditions are unfavorable for rice production, such as drought and salinity; for the cooperative, there are currently about 300 hectares of ST 25 rice variety production in Ngoc Bien and Tan Hiep communes, which are in the early flowering stage, so water is urgently needed, otherwise it will greatly affect productivity. Compared to previous years, this year, the source of fresh water is guaranteed, thanks to the operation of the Canal 3/2 Pumping Station system; currently, the "fresh water supply" to the fields of members participating in rice production in the cooperative is quite good; the water flow pumped to the fields is guaranteed for 3-4 days/pumping cycle.

According to comrade Thach So Phanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tra Cu district: in the district, there are currently 55 level III canals lacking water, 14 level II canals lacking water and at risk of lacking water. With the operation of the 3/2 Canal Pumping Station, it contributes to the operation of the transfer pump from the 3/2 Canal Pumping Station to take water to the main canals such as the 3/2 Canal to "supply fresh water" to the fields through the level II canals.

For the locality, the people have been mobilized to implement the policy of socialization to buy pumps of 10 - 15 HP or 02 - 03 D6 pumps; placed at 01 pumping location for transfer pumping. Currently, there are 76 pumping points from level II canals to level III canals, to ensure that people can pump water to the fields in the communes of Dai An, Tap Son, Long Hiep, Ham Giang, Tan Hiep, Thanh Son, Phuoc Hung, An Quang Huu.

Article and photos: HUU HUE

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