Focus on caring for the 2025 Summer-Autumn rice crop.

The 2025 Summer-Autumn rice crop in Long An province is entering its growth stage. Given the complex weather patterns and the increasing incidence of pests and diseases, the agricultural sector and farmers throughout the province are focusing intensely on caring for and protecting the rice plants to ensure a successful harvest.

A delegation from the Department of Agriculture and Environment inspected the rice production situation in Thu Thua district.

Pests and diseases are on the rise.

By the end of May 2025, farmers throughout the province had sown 208,307 hectares of summer-autumn rice , reaching 95.9% of the plan. Areas sown early are entering the tillering and heading stages, and farmers are focusing on caring for the crops.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment , Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh: “The Department has directed localities to shift their focus to rice cultivation, paying particular attention to irrigation and fertilizer management. In the current weather conditions, fertilizer application needs to be balanced, limiting nitrogen and increasing potassium to strengthen the plants and reduce pests and diseases. The Department also emphasizes following the “four correct” recommendations when spraying pesticides, and absolutely avoiding indiscriminate preventative spraying before the damage threshold is reached.”

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the past week, the area affected by pests and diseases on rice increased compared to the previous week. The most significant increases were seen in rice blast disease, aluminum toxicity, brown planthopper, thrips, and stem borers. However, the area affected by rats and golden apple snails decreased in the seedling and tillering stages of rice cultivation.

According to Tran Thi Mong Thi, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: “The Department has sent technical staff to closely monitor the fields, guiding farmers to track young brown planthoppers and rice blast disease during the seedling and tillering stages of rice. For brown planthoppers, biological control is only necessary when the population exceeds 2,000 individuals/m². Regarding rice blast disease, it is important to apply fertilizer appropriately, avoiding nitrogen fertilization during cloudy weather or when the rice is already diseased; and to spray pesticides at the correct time and concentration.”

Previously, farmers only dealt with pests and diseases when they appeared, but now they are more aware and proactively prevent and control them right from the beginning of the season.

Thu Thua District has completed the sowing of the 2025 summer-autumn rice crop. Mr. Tran Van Nhon (Long Thuan commune, Thu Thua district), who is cultivating 5 hectares of IR4625 glutinous rice, shared: “This year, I proactively applied organic microbial fertilizer, reduced nitrogen, and increased potassium from the beginning of the season. The rice grew healthily, tillered evenly, and had fewer pests and diseases. Every week, I checked the fields, and as soon as I saw planthoppers, I started treating them immediately instead of letting outbreaks like in previous seasons. Thanks to the guidance of technical staff, I knew how to choose the right pesticides at the right time, so I saved costs and achieved high efficiency.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Hiep (Vinh Thuan commune, Vinh Hung district) said: “Farmers in the area are accustomed to high-quality production, so they pay close attention to the care process. Everyone tries to take good care of their fields, from watering to fertilizing and spraying pesticides according to recommendations. We hope for favorable weather so that the rice grows well and yields high productivity.”

For a successful summer-autumn crop season.

Farmers tending to rice crops.

Overall, at this point, the rice crops in the province are growing well, with few serious pest outbreaks. However, the period from June onwards will be a sensitive time, prone to developing rice blast and grain discoloration if weather conditions are unfavorable. Therefore, the provincial Department of Agriculture recommends that localities complete planting before June 25, 2025, to ensure simultaneous planting and facilitate pest and disease control.

In parallel, the provincial Department of Agriculture also encourages farmers to continue using high-quality, short- and medium-day rice varieties such as Dai Thom 8, OM5451, OM18, etc., to suit the weather conditions and ensure market access.

Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh emphasized: “The Department hopes that localities will strengthen coordination between agricultural extension, plant protection, and local authorities to provide timely support to farmers. In particular, it is necessary to organize short-term training courses and provide technical guidance directly in the fields so that farmers can easily learn and apply the techniques effectively. The goal is to ensure productivity and quality, gradually moving towards sustainable production.”

B. Tung

Source: https://baolongan.vn/tap-trung-cham-care-lua-he-thu-2025-a196369.html