Despite the temperamental weather, farmers are hastily preparing for the summer-autumn crop season, or trying to earn a little more from their income from working agricultural machinery and free-range duck farming.

From early morning, across the fields, farmers are already up and working -- directing water, building dikes, and preparing the soil. The sound of plowing machines running at full capacity regardless of the weather fills the air. So far, it is estimated that more than 70 per cent of the field area has been tilled. According to the schedule, farming households will begin planting on June 10th.

The soil preparation period for the summer-autumn crop season is also a time to boost income through free-range duck farming. After harvesting the previous rice, the fields become an ideal foraging ground for fallen grains and snails, marking the most bustling time of the year for duck farming and sales. Many households set up temporary pens and shelters by the fields and roadsides to sell their ducks. With an average weight of 2.5-2.7kg per duck and the selling price of VNĐ50,000 (US$1.97) per kg, a temporary duck pen can sell over 100 ducks per day, bringing in a significant income to the farmers.

Agricultural machinery rental services (for soil breaking and field plowing) are also thriving. Lò Văn Cường, a resident from Noong Hẹt Commune, Điện Biên District, said that his family owns one plowing machine and two workers taking turns operating it. On a good day with favorable water conditions, they can plow up to 5,000sq.m of land, earning VNĐ2.5 million ($98) per day, making for a pretty nice additional income for the family.

Some images from Mường Thanh Field: