Saving watering: Less effort, better plants - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Officials of Vu Son commune, Bac Son district and people inspect the water-saving irrigation model with State support.

Having grown ornamental peach trees for nearly 20 years, Ms. Luong Thi Dua, Na Pan village, Vu Son commune (Bac Son district) has never found taking care of peach trees as easy as it is now. Ms. Dua shared: My family currently has 3 acres of land for growing peach trees with about 3,000 ornamental peach trees of all kinds. Taking care of peach trees has many steps, but watering the trees is the most difficult step, which must be done regularly from the time they are planted until they are harvested. Previously, to water the trees, my family had to pull a long, tangled system of pipes to water them. Watering peach trees takes more than 4 hours each day.

In 2024, with the support and propaganda of the State, my family contributed additional funds to install an automatic sprinkler irrigation system. Now, instead of working hard like before, just turn on the switch, the automatic irrigation system operates to provide enough water for the plants. The advanced and economical irrigation system not only helps save a lot of time for the family, but through actual testing, the amount of water for the plants is only 50% compared to before, while the plants still ensure good growth and development.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Thuy, Head of Water Resources Management Department, Department of Agriculture and Environment

“Implementing Resolution 09 dated December 10, 2019 of the Provincial People's Council stipulating the level of support for the development of small-scale irrigation, intra-field irrigation and advanced, water-saving irrigation, a number of advanced, water-saving irrigation models have been formed in the province. However, the number of supported models is still small. In the coming time, the specialized department will continue to advise and coordinate with relevant agencies to focus on propaganda to bring support policies to the people; focus on reviewing, updating and adjusting instructions to suit the regulations and conditions of the province for easy implementation and application; carry out contents related to the order, procedures, and components of appraisal dossiers for advanced, water-saving irrigation models.”

Realizing the effectiveness of advanced, water-saving irrigation, Mr. Quach Duong Duy's family in Chuc Quan village, Yen Vuong commune (Huu Lung district) proactively researched and invested. Mr. Duy shared: My family started growing custard apples around 1992, and now the family has about 800 trees. Previously, watering the trees was very difficult because the garden was large, the water line was far away, and it took a lot of time. Moreover, direct irrigation with large pipes caused water waste, and the soil became hard, affecting the growth and development of the trees.

In 2024, after learning about advanced, water-saving irrigation models in many places as well as on the media, Mr. Duy's family invested in installing a root-covering spray irrigation system. To save costs, the family ordered equipment and learned how to install it themselves. Up to now, the water-saving irrigation system has been operating smoothly. In addition to watering, Mr. Duy's family's advanced automatic irrigation system also integrates an automatic fertilizer injection feature. Mr. Duy said: Installing a water-saving irrigation system not only reduces the time spent taking care of custard apple trees but also solves the problem of soil compaction, especially the amount of irrigation water is reduced by more than 40%.

Along with the above 2 models, in recent years, many households, businesses and cooperatives in the province have deployed the installation of advanced and water-saving irrigation systems. Currently, in the province, there are 3 advanced and water-saving irrigation methods for crops: sprinkler irrigation, normal drip irrigation and water-saving irrigation in greenhouses.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Every year, the Department coordinates with the People's Committees of districts and cities to promote advanced irrigation and water-saving policies according to Resolution 09 dated December 10, 2019 of the Provincial People's Council stipulating the level of support for the development of small-scale irrigation, intra-field irrigation and advanced irrigation and water-saving irrigation in the province. At the same time, relevant levels and sectors integrate capital sources from national target programs to support people in expanding the area of fruit trees as well as building and replicating advanced and saving irrigation models.

Mr. Pham Ba Hanh, Head of Agriculture and Environment Department of Bac Son district

“Currently, the district has 31 advanced, water-saving irrigation models, most of which are supported by the State. Advanced, water-saving irrigation models in the district have been effective, contributing to improving productivity, quality, and crop value. In fact, the demand for implementing water-saving irrigation models among people is still high, especially households growing citrus fruit trees, ornamental peach trees, etc. However, due to resource difficulties, many households have not yet been able to apply the water-saving irrigation model. In the coming time, the unit will continue to coordinate with communes and towns to continue to propagate and guide cases in need to access support policies, thereby helping people build advanced, effective water-saving irrigation models.”

Through the synthesis of districts and cities, currently in the province there are about 650 advanced water-saving irrigation models with an irrigation area of nearly 740 hectares (of which people have mainly proactively installed). In which, the water-saving irrigation model is mainly applied to nurseries of forestry trees, vegetables, tubers, citrus fruit trees, custard apple trees, persimmon trees, etc.

Compared to conventional irrigation, water-saving irrigation helps save 30-50% of water; limits evaporation and water loss, helps maintain soil moisture, does not cause localized waterlogging like flood irrigation; reduces fertilizer loss; reduces labor. In addition, this form of irrigation can also be adjusted according to each growth stage of the crop, helping the root system to be strong, reducing the rate of pests and diseases. In addition, the water-saving irrigation system does not create a flow, so it avoids soil erosion, helping plants grow well in harsh weather and water shortages. Thereby contributing to improving crop productivity and quality. Typically, in 2024, custard apple yield reached 103.25 quintals/ha (an increase of nearly 4 quintals/ha compared to 2021); citrus output in 2024 reached nearly 17,000 tons, an increase of more than 1,100 tons compared to 2021...

Although the effectiveness of the water-saving irrigation model is clearly visible, in reality, the area of crops irrigated economically is still small. The reason is that information about water-saving irrigation, technology transfer, training and coaching for people is still limited. In addition, the initial investment cost for advanced, water-saving irrigation models is still high...

The implementation of advanced, water-saving irrigation models has been effective, especially in areas with difficult water resources or during periods of prolonged drought. Therefore, in addition to the initiative of the people, relevant levels and sectors continue to have support solutions so that advanced, water-saving irrigation models are increasingly replicated. Thereby contributing to the reasonable and effective use of irrigation water, reducing people's labor as well as increasing the value of agricultural and forestry production in the area.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tuoi-tiet-kiem-bot-suc-tot-cay-5047058.html