Dak Nong farmers innovate farming methods to adapt to drought

Multi-layer intercropping, saving irrigation water

To create a multi-layered ecosystem, helping the garden grow well in the face of complex weather conditions, Mr. Le Ngoc Quynh, Dak R'Moan commune, Gia Nghia city, pioneered the model of intercropping many types of trees such as coffee, pepper, durian, avocado... on the same area.

He carefully calculated the garden planning from the beginning, stratifying the tree canopy reasonably to create shade during the dry season without affecting the growth of intercropped plants.

“The multi-tree, multi-canopy model helps maintain a stable ecosystem and reduces water consumption. Even in the middle of the dry season, the leaves are still green because they retain moisture well,” Mr. Quynh shared.

The model of weeding in the dry season with the purpose of keeping the soil moist helps the pepper garden of Mr. Pham The Vinh's family, Quang Chanh village, Dak R Lap district, Dak Nong province to stay green all year round. Photo: Pham Hoai.

Also applying effective methods, Mr. Ho Van Hoan, Dak Lao commune, Dak Mil district, Dak Nong is always proud of his more than 4ha coffee garden that grows green all year round, despite prolonged drought. According to him, the secret is to use synchronous technical measures such as covering the soil with composted coffee grounds, planting shade trees and windbreaks.

“Covering the soil with coffee grounds helps loosen the soil, increase fertility, and make plants healthier. When composted with biological products, coffee grounds also help limit fungal diseases very well,” Mr. Hoan shared.

In addition to growing multiple trees and layers, many farmers in Dak Nong also actively apply technical advances in production, especially water-saving irrigation systems.

Mr. Pham The Vinh, Quang Chanh village, Dak R Lap district, has 3 hectares of coffee trees and 1 hectare of pepper intercropped with some fruit trees. Since investing in a water-saving irrigation system, it has helped him reduce a lot of expenses while still being highly effective.

“Two years ago, my family received financial support from the government to install a water-saving irrigation system, which helped reduce many expenses, while the plants grew steadily and provided good income. Each year, my family saves an average of 35-45 million VND,” Mr. Vinh shared.

People invest in water-saving irrigation systems to help plants grow stably, save water and reduce labor costs. Photo: Pham Hoai .

According to experts, the water-saving irrigation model can reduce water usage by more than 30%, save up to 70% of labor and cut input costs by 5-7% compared to traditional irrigation methods.

Master Dao Thi Lan Hoa, Tay Nguyen Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology Institute, said that applying the water-saving irrigation model, combining organic farming and creating grass carpets has contributed to improving soil quality, increasing fertility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and moving towards sustainable agriculture.

Locality accompanies people

According to the representative of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dak Nong province, in order to respond to unusual weather developments, the Department has advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a plan to implement the crop restructuring plan to adapt to climate change throughout the province for the period 2022 - 2025, with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, by 2025, the whole province has converted more than 2,860 hectares, and by 2030, 5,696 hectares will be converted. "The main reason for conversion is that these crop areas are in areas lacking water due to drought, low groundwater, barren land, and are not in accordance with the planning," the leader added.

Changing the mindset of farming appropriately helps many people's coffee gardens to develop stably at any time of the year. Photo: Pham Hoai .

Regarding this issue, Mr. Le Trong Yen, Vice Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee, said that in order to respond to climate change, the Provincial People's Committee has directed localities to support people in many multi-crop and agroforestry production models that have been effectively applied by local people.

In particular, models of regenerative agriculture, restoration agriculture, pepper, and landscape coffee at some gardens in Dak R'lap, Dak Song, Dak Mil, Gia Nghia City, etc. have been successfully applied. At the same time, Dak Nong province has also built many positive models to prevent and improve the consequences of climate change.

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/nong-dan-dak-nong-doi-moi-phuong-thuc-canh-tac-thich-ung-voi-han-han-d747565.html