Green again in Tuy Loc vegetable fields

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Clear the mud, turn the soil, and restore the green

The night of September 9, 2024, was an unforgettable memory for many people in Yen Bai city in general and Tuy Loc commune in particular. Water from upstream suddenly poured in, causing the water level of the Red River to rise to a record high. The flood overflowed the banks, submerging 1,240 houses, sweeping away many properties and livestock, and completely destroying and burying more than 70 hectares of crops of the people in the commune.

"I have never witnessed such a horrifying scene. The whole garden of young vegetables ready to be harvested was buried under a layer of mud nearly half a meter thick. The houses were damaged, the land was deserted, everywhere I looked I saw only desolation and ruin" - Mrs. Bui Thi Huong, Minh Long village sadly recounted.

In addition to the damage to vegetables, the entire Tuy Loc commune also had more than 30 hectares of rice that was about to be harvested fall down, more than 4 hectares of fruit trees broken in series, and 19.4 hectares of fish ponds of aquaculture households left empty-handed. Many internal roads were eroded, and the canal system was completely filled up. The estimated damage was up to nearly 90 billion VND.

Depression and confusion were inevitable, but immediately after the water receded, Tuy Loc commune residents quickly began rebuilding their lives. While their houses were still covered in mud, people prioritized clearing their fields and improving the land. Vegetable production cooperatives in Bai Duong, Minh Thanh, Minh Long villages immediately mobilized their forces, divided into shifts, and restored each vegetable bed, embankment, and ditch.

"The most difficult part was the beginning, the soil was heavy, seedlings were rare, and there was a lack of water for daily use, but no one complained. Some cleared the mud, some turned the soil, some re-installed the irrigation system, everyone, every household worked from early morning to late at night" - Ms. Vu Thi Linh Nham, Hop Thanh village said.

Along with the initiative of the people, Tuy Loc commune authorities also quickly deployed support measures. According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Chairman of Tuy Loc Commune People's Committee, within just a few weeks after the flood, the commune received and distributed to the people more than 1,100 kg of seeds, 1,000 kg of fertilizer, and proactively coordinated with functional units and branches to inspect, review, and repair irrigation works.

Staff from the City’s Agricultural Development Support and Service Center also instructed people on how to treat soil contaminated with bacteria and alum after the flood with lime powder and biological products; instructed people on clean agricultural practices and safe vegetable growing methods, etc. Thanks to this, the risk of pests and diseases after the flood was controlled, and crops returned to normal growth.

By the end of December 2024, more than 60 hectares of winter vegetables in Tuy Loc commune had been replanted. Although the yield has not fully recovered, it is enough to affirm one thing - "Tuy Loc does not collapse, does not succumb to natural disasters". Although starting later than usual, thanks to high concentration, the 2024 winter vegetable crop still achieved a good yield. During the Lunar New Year 2025, about 100 tons of green vegetables from Tuy Loc commune farmers were harvested and consumed, contributing significantly to the economic recovery of farming households.

Ms. Tran Thi Phuong - Hop Thanh village said: "My family has more than 4,000m2 of land for growing vegetables. During the recent historic flood, the entire system of trellis for growing climbing plants (gourds, squash, luffa, chayote) and the area for growing leafy vegetables were damaged, with estimated damage of over 100 million VND. However, immediately after the water receded, the whole family focused on human and material resources to renovate the fields and gardens, so we were able to grow short-term vegetables to sell during the Lunar New Year, earning nearly 20 million VND."

The fields of revival

Tuy Loc commune vegetable fields are green again.

The hardships, sweat and tears of Tuy Loc farmers have been duly rewarded. Up to now, 95% of the rice and vegetable growing areas of the commune have turned green again. The green of freshness, the green of faith and hope for a bright future, for a sustainable agricultural development.

On the vast fields, every day, the working atmosphere is bustling and lively. The cheerful laughter among the green vegetable beds, the hum of the pump, the footsteps on the inner-field roads seem to affirm a simple but profound thing - "life has revived". After the flood, most of the cultivated area has been well renovated so the vegetables grow and develop well. The green, fruit-laden rows of mustard greens, Malabar spinach, amaranth, tomatoes, beans, chayote... that follow the trucks to the market every day have made all the hardships and fatigue of the farmers disappear.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa - a farmer who has been growing vegetables for more than 20 years in Tuy Loc commune emotionally shared: "When the flood water just receded, I stood on the field and cried because everything had been washed away and lost. But with the support of the commune to improve the land, and with the support of my children to buy materials and seedlings, I was determined not to give up. Now seeing the vegetables growing so well, I feel like I have been given more life."

Not only a source of income, vegetable fields are also the pride of Tuy Loc people - a place to preserve traditional farming experiences passed down from generation to generation. Now, old knowledge is being supplemented with new techniques, with the mindset of commodity production, market linkage and technology application. The combination of tradition and modernity has created new vitality for Tuy Loc vegetable growing area. The spirit of solidarity is also one of the factors that helps people overcome difficulties.

After the flood, many households were willing to share vegetable seeds, support each other with labor, clear land, and renovate the fields. These images created a warm and humane picture of the countryside, making the green color of the fields even more meaningful. Currently, in addition to consuming at wholesale markets in the city, many households have also established online sales groups, supporting people to promote products on social networks, bringing clean Tuy Loc vegetables to consumers both inside and outside the province.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Huan - Director of Tuy Loc Safe Vegetable Cooperative said: "Tuy Loc has suitable land conditions, people have many years of experience in growing vegetables, so it is very favorable for developing clean agriculture and organic agriculture. It is important to have a clear orientation, plan the growing area, and at the same time support people to access capital, technology and consumption markets."

Mr. Huan also believes that adapting to climate change, especially increasingly severe natural disasters, must become a top priority in agricultural development. In particular, applying digital transformation such as: creating electronic diaries, attaching QR codes to trace origins, monitoring pests through sensors, etc. will help production become more proactive, transparent and effective.

It can be said that with the support of the government, the agricultural sector and the spirit of innovation from the farmers themselves, Tuy Loc commune is gradually forming a modern, sustainable agriculture - not only overcoming natural disasters but also ready to reach far in the market. From the revived fields today, Tuy Loc is growing strongly, not only to restore production but also to affirm its position as a key, safe and quality vegetable growing area of ​​Yen Bai city. It is not only the result of labor but also a beautiful symbol of the love of the land, love of the profession and the aspiration to rise of farmers in the new era.

Hong Oanh

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/349002/Xanh-lai-nhung-dong-rau-Tuy-Loc.aspx