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:
Mường Thanh Field is the biggest rice field in the northwest region, with over 4.000ha in cultivation area.
Currently, it is a busy time for farmers here, with water management and soil preparation works for the summer-autumn planting season.
For less productive land, farmers will need to add extra fertilisers.
They are also building dikes and directing water before planting.
Over 70% of the land of Mường Thanh Field has been tilled in preparation for the summer-autumn season.
At the Điện Biên Seed Farm area, harvesting has just begun for the ST25 rice variety, which was planted in staggered seasons to avoid cross-pollination.
For fields with many weeds and golden apple snails (a pest), farmers will spray pesticides before starting the rice crop.
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From June 10th, on the fields that have been tilled, farmers begin sowing seeds.
Farmers are not the only ones getting busy, this is also a time for many to earn extra income. A rented plowing machine running at full capacity can bring in VNĐ2.5 million per day, with the machine being transported by car to distant fields.
Also on the first days of the season, along National Road 279, temporary stalls selling ducks have started to pop up, marking the busiest and most profitable time of year for duck farmers.
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