Winter crop production contributes to sustainable agricultural development

Winter crop is an important crop in the province's agricultural structure, not only bringing stable income to farmers but also contributing to ensuring food security and providing raw materials for the processing industry.

Farmers in An Khe commune (Quynh Phu) take care of winter corn crops.

Increase area

Thai Binh is known as one of the key provinces in agricultural production in the Red River Delta. The winter crop is not only outstanding in terms of cultivated area but also in terms of the diversity of crops. Winter crops with high economic value such as corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, etc. are continuously expanding in area and improving productivity. In the winter crop of 2023, the total cultivated area reached nearly 37,240 hectares, an increase of 531.6 hectares compared to the previous year. Many major crops with high economic value continue to expand in area such as corn 5,602 hectares, an increase of 488.6 hectares, sweet potatoes 2,226.3 hectares, an increase of 225.3 hectares, potatoes 3,654.7 hectares, an increase of 92.7 hectares.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: The winter crop not only helps maximize land use efficiency and increase people's income, but also contributes to creating sustainable agriculture. Therefore, the increase in the winter crop area shows a positive development trend in the crop structure, helping to diversify the province's agricultural products. In recent years, the province has implemented many mechanisms, policies and solutions to promote the expansion of the winter crop area, such as supporting seeds, fertilizers and agricultural materials for farmers. Training courses on cultivation techniques, pest control and post-harvest preservation are held regularly, helping farmers apply effective and cost-saving production methods. Cooperative models and product consumption chains create conditions for people to access the market more easily, without worrying about product output, contributing to price stability and avoiding the situation of "good harvest, low price".

Enhance value

The production value of the winter crop in 2023 reached VND 5,176 billion, an increase of 2.16% over the previous year. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of planning, supporting and implementing agricultural production policies in the province. Corn, sweet potatoes and potatoes are key crops, not only bringing high economic value but also ensuring the supply of raw materials for processing industries in the province and neighboring localities. In addition, maintaining the production of vegetables and short-term crops, especially green vegetables, also helps farmers be more flexible in choosing plant varieties suitable to weather conditions and market demand.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Quyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Phu district, said: Over the past years, winter crop production has become a "golden crop" with much higher economic efficiency than rice production. In many places, farmers have considered this the main crop of the year. Many communes have built winter crop fields with high economic efficiency such as: Quynh Nguyen, Quynh Bao, Quynh Hoa, Quynh Khe, Quynh Hong with potato fields; Quynh Hoang, Quynh Hoa with carrot fields; Quynh Tho, An Dong, An Khe, Quynh Lam, Quynh Hoang with sweet corn and glutinous corn fields; Quynh Hai, Quynh Minh with vegetable fields... Some key crops of the district such as: chili with an estimated income value of 215 - 350 million VND/ha; kohlrabi reaching 250 - 280 million VND/ha, squash estimated at 210 - 330 million VND/ha, sweet corn reaching 100 - 110 million VND/ha; potatoes 200 - 230 million VND/ha...

Farmers in Tay Do commune (Hung Ha) grow sweet potatoes.

Strive to complete the plan

Following the success of the 2023 winter crop, the province has set a target of increasing the planting area to over 40,000 hectares in the 2024 winter crop. Up to now, the whole province has planted over 20,000 hectares, of which some districts have achieved high rates such as Quynh Phu, Hung Ha, Vu Thu, and Dong Hung.

Mr. Bui Gia Khanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vu Thu district, said: As of October 29, Vu Thu district had planted over 3,500 hectares, reaching over 66% of the planned area. The structure of this year's winter crop is diverse and focuses on crops with high economic value such as melons, squash, vegetables, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn. To complete the plan to plant 5,300 hectares, Vu Thu district is focusing on directing communes to promote planting on the remaining area. At the same time, local authorities are also seeking and expanding agricultural product consumption markets to ensure stable output for winter crop products. The district also aims to strengthen organic farming solutions, minimize the use of chemicals, protect the environment, and ensure safe agricultural products for consumers.

Winter crop production is not only a seasonal production activity but has become an important economic development strategy of the province. With the successes and benefits it brings, winter crop is increasingly affirming its role in sustainable agricultural development.