Quynh Phu: Growing water caltrop on low-lying fields gives high economic efficiency

Instead of growing two rice crops in low-yield lowland fields, in recent years, thanks to the change in crop structure, farmers in some localities in Quynh Phu have switched to a combined model of growing rice and growing larva. This method has brought high economic efficiency to the people.

Quynh Hoi commune tested growing 3 hectares of water spinach on low-lying fields, with higher efficiency than growing rice.

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh's family in Hoang Xa village, Chau Son commune has 3 hectares of rice fields. Previously, he grew 2 rice crops, but every year the crop failed because the fields were low-lying, the rice fell down in heavy rains, and the drainage was slow. After researching and finding that water chestnut is suitable for low-lying areas, Mr. Khanh brought it back to replace the seasonal rice crop. Rotating rice and water chestnut on the rice fields has brought Mr. Khanh a good income.

Mr. Khanh shared: Water caltrop is an easy-to-grow plant, care is not difficult, costs less than rice cultivation, the planting time is short, about 3 months to harvest. Water caltrop is mainly planted in the cold season and will have few pests and diseases. This year the weather is favorable, the water source is abundant, so the water caltrop grows and develops well. My family has harvested 4 batches of water caltrop, each crop harvests an average of 5-7 batches. This year the water caltrop has many tubers, each sao yields 6-7 quintals, the current selling price is 12,000 - 15,000 VND/kg. Compared to rice cultivation, growing water caltrop is 4-6 times higher. Growing water caltrop is both economically effective and improves soil quality.

“When I harvest the caltrops, I leave the field as it is, so I don’t have to plow. The fertilizer used for the caltrops underground is green manure and bio-fertilizer. When transplanting, I don’t have to plow or harrow. Rice grown on caltrop fields is disease-resistant and grows well. The average spring rice yield is 2.5 quintals per sao,” Mr. Khanh added.

Young bamboo grown on low-lying rice fields has few thorns and is fragrant and popular with people.

From the success of Mr. Khanh's family's model of growing water caltrop on low-lying land, many households and localities inside and outside the commune have come to learn and switch to growing water caltrop. Typically, in Quynh Hoi commune, this year's crop is also the first year that some households in the commune have experimented with water caltrop on low-lying land. Currently, water caltrop is in the harvest stage, initially showing high economic efficiency.

Mr. Nguyen Van Truong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Hoi Commune, said: In recent years, the locality has also introduced a number of models of seedlings for experimentation, but with caltrop cultivated on acidic, low-lying land, it is very suitable. Although it is only the first crop, the efficiency is high, 4-5 times higher than rice cultivation, while still maintaining the level of cultivated land, stable environment, especially creating jobs for people. This year, the locality has only put into experimentation about 3 hectares, with the efficiency of caltrop, next year the locality will expand by 15-20 hectares; at the same time, organize zoning to ensure environmental factors, stable growth and development for caltrop but not affect other crops. Not to mention, with the large source of organic fertilizer on caltrop, it will be a source of nutrition for spring rice cultivation, reducing fertilizer costs, bringing high productivity.

Bamboo is an easy plant to grow, care is not difficult, costs less than rice cultivation, and the growing time is short, about 3 months for harvest.

The entire Quynh Phu district has about 50 hectares of water caltrop growing concentrated in the communes of Chau Son, An Quy, An Thai, Quynh Hoi... With the determination not to let the land fallow, Quynh Phu district has issued a document directing localities to take advantage of land resources to convert crops appropriately, bringing high economic efficiency.

Mr. Do Tien Cong, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quynh Phu district, said: From the model of growing water chestnuts on low-lying land, which has brought high economic efficiency in some localities, in the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the district will advise the District People's Committee to continue expanding the area of growing water chestnuts on low-lying land in localities in the commune; at the same time, organize training, guide care techniques, and ways to prevent pests and diseases to turn water chestnuts into the main crop of the locality, increase income for farmers, thereby farmers will be more attached to the fields, feel secure in working and producing.

Nguyen Cuong

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