Tuyen Quang farmers rush to harvest rice to avoid the storm

After Storm No. 10 swept through, Tuyen Quang suffered heavy losses in both lives and property. More than 9,000 hectares of rice, crops, and fruit trees were flooded or buried. With Super Typhoon No. 11 (Matmo) forecast to make landfall and bring widespread heavy rain, farmers are working around the clock, harvesting rice through the night to minimize damage to the summer–autumn crop.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, this year’s crop covers over 52,000 hectares of rice. So far, farmers across the province have harvested more than 10,000 hectares, reaching 18% of the plan.

At this time, in early-harvest rice fields in communes such as Hoa An, Yen Nguyen, Kim Binh, Linh Ho, Bac Quang, and Thanh Thuy, the atmosphere is filled with urgency. Farmers head to the fields from early morning, taking advantage of every hour of sunshine to reap their crops.

In Yen Son Commune, since the afternoon of October 3, residents have mobilized all available manpower and harvesters to the fields, focusing on gathering ripe rice.

Across the fields, villagers are busily transporting rice home.

Mrs. Tran Thi Thao from Lam Luong hamlet, Yen Son commune, shared: “If we wait a few more days, the storm and rain will surely flatten the crop, causing serious losses. That’s why we decided to harvest early for safety.”

Not only during the day, but at night as well, combined harvesters are operating at full capacity to speed up the harvest for farmers in Kim Binh Commune, minimizing potential damage from Storm No. 11.

Mr. Ma Van Tien, from Binh The hamlet (Kim Binh commune), said: “It’s not just my family - the whole village is out in the fields harvesting to avoid the storm. Thanks to two harvesters working at once, we help each other transport the rice home before he heavy rain arrives.”

In Trung Ha commune, local officials and youth union members have joined residents in helping to harvest rice ahead of the storm.

Farmers in Hoa An commune are also racing against time to complete their harvests.

Ly Thu