From the very first days of the new year, in key rice-producing areas such as Thanh Nưa, Thanh Yên, and Thanh An, farmers have been present in the paddies to care for the winter-spring crop.

In Thanh Nưa commune, over 1,114 hectares of rice have been sown for this winter-spring season. Currently, the early-planted rice is in the tillering stage, while the main-season rice is in the thinning and transplanting phase. Farmers have set aside their holiday festivities to stick to the fields, focusing on thinning, weeding, harrowing, and top-dressing to ensure the rice plants thrive. Lò Thị Mền, a resident of Thanh Nưa, excitedly remarked that in farming, one must take advantage of the season, and going to the fields early provides peace of mind while praying for favorable weather throughout the year.

In many highland communes, the production atmosphere is equally lively. Across the 73 hectares of wet rice cultivation in Tủa Thàng commune, farmers are busily preparing the land and sowing seeds. At present, the commune has completed approximately 50% of the land preparation, and some areas have already been transplanted. Lò Tùng Lâm, Deputy Director of the Tủa Thàng General Service Center, noted that the planting schedule in highland communes typically falls later than in the lowlands. The commune leadership has directed farmers to proactively collect and retain water in the fields, ensuring that sowing and transplanting occur within the optimal seasonal window to guarantee the healthy growth of the plants.

Beyond rice, farmers in many areas are concentrating on caring for subsidiary crops and short-term industrial plants. Sam Mứn commune has approximately 137 hectares dedicated to vegetables and subsidiary crops. At this time, people are harvesting the remaining winter crops while simultaneously preparing the soil, fertilizer, and seeds for the new season. Beds of cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, cowpeas, and eggplants are being quickly harvested and transported for sale. The bustling labor atmosphere, filled with laughter, brings the joy of early spring. Following the Tết holiday, the demand for green vegetables has increased and prices remain stable, which has greatly encouraged growers.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh, a resident of Village 2 in Sam Mứn commune, shared that unlike many other crops, vegetables have a short growth cycle and require frequent care and irrigation, meaning growers rarely have long breaks. During the holiday days, family members took turns checking and watering the plants to ensure they flourished. For them, welcoming spring is always tied to the fields and the rows of vegetables ready for harvest.

Spring begins with busy footsteps across the land. In their early-year conversations, farmers share the joy of the new year, and for them, the holiday spirit is amplified when the fields are green and healthy. With the close supervision of local authorities and the diligent, proactive spirit of the farmers, there is strong confidence that the winter-spring crop will achieve high yields, setting the stage for a successful agricultural year.