These days, visiting Yen Khanh, it's easy to spot the bustling atmosphere of the harvest season throughout the countryside. The sight of combine harvesters working at full capacity, harvesting rice for the local people, ensures that ripe rice is quickly and efficiently harvested to free up land for the next crop.
Standing on the bank waiting for the combine harvester to finish harvesting so he could transport the rice home, Mr. Pham Van Dang from Hamlet 3, Khanh Cong Commune, excitedly said: "This season, my family planted 1.2 acres with Dai Thom No. 8 rice variety. In just over an hour, the entire rice field was harvested, with an estimated yield of 2.5 quintals per sao (approximately 1000 square meters). In previous seasons, with the same area, we had to plant in 3 or 4 plots, making harvesting more difficult and yielding only 2.2 quintals per sao. Not only was it a good harvest, but the price was also good this year, so we are very happy and excited, giving us more motivation to confidently continue with agriculture . Especially, thanks to land consolidation, my family's 3 or 4 plots have now been consolidated into one, making it more convenient for planting, caring for, and harvesting the rice quickly and efficiently. After harvesting, my family will proceed to clear the field and free up land to focus on the next crop."
In the 2024 winter-spring crop season, Khanh Cong commune planted 419 hectares of rice using varieties such as Dai Thom 8, LT2, fragrant glutinous rice, and other types of glutinous rice. By June 5th, the commune had harvested 90% of the area, with an estimated yield of 63.5 hectares. Not only was the harvest bountiful this year, but farmers were also delighted by the high rice prices. This is a stark contrast to previous seasons, where it was often a case of "good harvest, low prices" or "high prices, poor harvest." Especially in recent years, the prices of supplies and fertilizers have increased by 1.5 to 2 times, leading to many crop losses. Therefore, this winter-spring crop, with both a good harvest and high prices, provides a great motivation for farmers to stay in the fields, contributing to food security and social welfare. Khanh Cong aims to complete the rice harvest by June 7th and prepare for the summer crop season.
Mr. Pham Ngoc Chuyen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Khanh Cong Agricultural Cooperative, said: "Strictly following the directives of the district and commune regarding crop structure, the entire rice area of the commune was sown and planted before the Lunar New Year. The work of forecasting, predicting, and controlling pests and diseases was also regularly monitored by professional staff, who closely followed the fields to promptly handle any outbreaks and prevent widespread pest and disease outbreaks that could affect yield and quality. Therefore, this year's winter-spring crop continued to yield a good harvest and fetched good prices. In addition, in recent years, the cooperative has also paid special attention to finding markets for agricultural products by signing contracts with businesses to purchase a portion of the farmers' produce, helping them feel secure in their agricultural production."
Leaving Khanh Cong, we arrived at Khanh Trung commune, where we saw rice fields stretching out in a golden hue, ready for harvest. The rice stalks were heavy with grain, and harvesting machines were working at full capacity to quickly and efficiently harvest the rice, minimizing damage caused by the weather.
On an area of over one acre planted with the Huong Com rice variety, which is beginning to be harvested, Ms. Vu Thi Khuyen from Hamlet 7, Khanh Trung Commune, happily shared: "This is the fourth year my family has signed a contract with Cuong Tan Company ( Nam Dinh City) to purchase all of our rice after harvest. Throughout the season, the company sends staff to monitor and guide farmers on organic farming practices and pest control, resulting in high-quality rice. This year we are very happy because not only is the harvest good, but the price is also good. Currently, the company is buying the rice directly from the field after harvesting at a price of 8,200 VND/kg."
Mr. Pham Van Hoi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Trung commune, said: With an area of over 630 hectares of rice planted with varieties such as Dai Thon 8, Bac Thom No. 7, Khang Dan, Huong Binh, and Huong Com, the commune continues to encourage farmers to maintain and expand the area of tray seedling cultivation and machine transplanting, accounting for 40%, and to continue maintaining over 200 hectares of organic rice cultivation. This rice crop is considered to be another bumper harvest in the locality, with an estimated yield of 68 quintals/hectare. To ensure the quick and efficient harvesting of the rice crop, agricultural cooperatives have proactively signed agreements with combine harvester owners to arrange a reasonable time, taking advantage of dry weather to concentrate manpower and machinery for quick harvesting. By June 5th, the commune had harvested 40% of the area, and is expected to complete the rice harvest by June 10th.
This year's winter-spring crop season saw Yen Khanh district planting over 7,200 hectares of spring rice. Although production faced difficulties at the beginning of the season due to severe cold weather and widespread pest and disease outbreaks towards the end, thanks to decisive leadership in production management and proactive restructuring of the agricultural sector, most production targets were met and exceeded by local authorities.
Comrade Nguyen Manh Toan, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Yen Khanh district, said: Currently, many rice fields have ripened. If harvested late, heavy rains will easily cause lodging, flooding, and affect yield and quality. Therefore, localities and farmers need to focus on harvesting on sunny days to avoid affecting yield and ensure the planting schedule for the summer crop; urgently mobilize machinery and labor to harvest spring rice when the ripeness reaches 80% or more with the motto "better to harvest while still green than to let it ripen in the field," preventing the situation where ripe rice is not harvested in time, leading to losses caused by late-season thunderstorms. As soon as the rice is harvested, collect the straw immediately for composting, limiting the burning of straw in the fields. By June 5th, the entire district had harvested more than 50% of the rice area, and the district strives to complete the rice harvest by June 10th.
According to the Deputy Head of the District's Agriculture and Rural Development Department, alongside the spring rice harvest, the district is also directing farmers to actively prepare for the summer crop production according to plan. Farmers are advised to clean their fields, irrigate, plow, and use biological products to treat rice stubble after harvesting to avoid organic poisoning and root rot in the summer rice crop. Agricultural cooperatives are requested to sign contracts with reputable companies to supply quality seeds and agricultural materials. Farmers are also advised to use new varieties and fertilizers from the approved list, and to absolutely avoid using varieties not on the approved list or pesticides not on the approved list.
Trucks loaded with rice from the 2024 winter-spring crop sped along the country roads, accompanied by radiant smiles and the joy of a bountiful harvest evident on the faces of the farmers. Another bumper crop strengthens the bond between the people of Yen Khanh and their fields.
Text and photos: Hong Nhung
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