Nghe An farmers urgently restore vegetable production after flooding

Efforts to save winter vegetables

In late August, the fields in Quynh Mai ward and Quynh Anh commune were filled with the sound of plowing machines. After many days of flooding, people were busy hoeing, weeding, rebuilding trellises, and urgently restoring production.

In the onion beds that were severely affected, farmers focused on removing the damaged leaves, then plowing the soil, fertilizing and replanting. Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai in Hai Lien village, Quynh Mai ward shared: “If left as is, the plants will be stunted and have low productivity. Therefore, I had to hire more people to remove the entire damaged onion area, improve the soil and replant. Although it was more difficult, after about 20 days, there would still be new onions to sell, making up for some of the damage.”

With the vegetable area completely lost, people plowed and treated the soil with lime powder and organic fertilizer to plant a new crop. Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh in Hamlet 6, Quynh Anh Commune said: "My family has 3 sao of vegetables, completely damaged, as soon as the water receded, I hired 4 more workers to re-cultivate the land and plant a new crop."

Meanwhile, in areas with light flooding, farmers clear drainage ditches, hoe to loosen the soil, and spray water to wash away mud stuck on leaves, adding fertilizer to help plants recover quickly. Many bitter melon fields have had their trellises rebuilt, and leafy vegetables have been mounded and weeded to give them new life.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mai in Quynh Mai ward said while tying up the bitter melon trellis: “As soon as the sun rose, we went to the field to drain the water, lightly till the soil and add organic fertilizer. Now we continue to prune off waterlogged leaves, force the shoots to climb the trellis, apply balanced fertilizer and spray pesticides to prevent pests. Doing it now is very important, if left for too long the weak plants will easily rot at the roots.”

From the vegetable beds that have just turned green again, the bitter melon trellises that have been rebuilt, or the fields that are reviving after plowing, all show the determination of farmers not to lose their vegetable crop.

In addition, the timely direction of local authorities and the accompanying farmers' association helped people restore production quickly, minimize damage and ensure productivity and income.

Support so farmers don't miss the season

Along with the efforts of the people, the local government and the farmers' association have also provided many timely support solutions. As soon as the water receded, agricultural officers were sent to the fields to survey the damage and provide guidance on remedial measures, such as clearing drainage ditches, improving the soil, adding fertilizer and preparing for winter planting.

Mr. Ho Xuan Huong - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Quynh Mai Ward said: "We closely follow the fields with the people, instruct them on how to remove damaged plants, improve the soil, and at the same time, promptly supply seeds and fertilizers. The goal is to help farmers recover as quickly as possible, without missing the harvest season."

In Quynh Anh commune, the Commune Farmers' Association coordinated with the Agricultural Materials Joint Stock Company to supply an additional 5 tons of NPK fertilizer to support people in fertilizing the new crop of vegetables; at the same time, many households received advance fertilizers and seeds for reproduction.

Ms. Bui Thi Tinh in Hamlet 4, Quynh Anh Commune said: "Many vegetables are damaged. Thanks to the farmers' association and the government's support of fertilizers and new varieties, we have more motivation to revive production."

On the professional side, the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection has also promptly grasped the damage in growing areas; sent staff to the grassroots level to provide technical guidance on vegetable care after flooding.

Mr. Phan Duy Hai - Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection recommended: "After flooding, people need to pay special attention to soil improvement to avoid the emergence of pathogens; at the same time, increase the use of organic microbial fertilizers, add potassium and spray biological products to help plants recover quickly and increase resistance."