Adverse weather fails to dampen north's rice yields

HA NOI — Despite this year's prolonged drought, the upcoming autumn-winter rice crop is expected to be on a par with last year's, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Pham Van Du, deputy director of the ministry's Department of Cultivation, said the northern region should harvest 6.3 million tonnes of rice this autumn, thanks in part to the planting of drought-resistant strains in some provinces.

As of mid-August, the north has planted more than 1.1 million hectares of the autumn-winter crop, 98 per cent of the target. Of that, 400,000ha or 35 per cent of the total, is of early maturing rice, which will be harvested between September 20 and October 10.

Du said the ministry had encouraged the growing of early maturing varieties of rice in anticipation of unfavourable weather conditions.

Ngo Tien Dung, deputy director of the Department of Plant Protection, said agricultural experts had warned farmers about the threat of black streaked dwarf disease earlier this year, which had helped to minimise losses. He said just 7,000ha of rice had been attacked by the disease, with northern Thai Binh being the worst-affected province, losing about 3,750ha.

Pham Ngoc Thach, deputy director of the Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, however, was still concerned that extreme weather conditions and particularly flooding, would reduce yields.

Nguyen Tri Ngoc, director of the cultivation department, said the winter crop was also vitally important for the north.

Over the past five years, on average the north has harvested 4.13 million tonnes of winter rice annually.

Other valuable crops include vegetables, worth VND50-70 million (US$2,630–$3,680) a hectare; and flowers, VND200-VND300 million ($10,520-$15,790) a ha.

Last year, the north cultivated more than 475,000ha of winter rice, and harvested about 4.2 million tonnes.

This winter, the north expects to cultivate 545,000ha, Ngoc said.

Bui Ba Bong, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the winter crop made up a large proportion of the country's rice exports.

Bong called on provinces to ensure their rice crops were free of disease. — VNS