Heavy rain flattens summer autumn rice in Mekong Delta

Continuous heavy rain has drenched part of the Mekong Delta and flattened vast summer autumn rice area in some provinces, slowing harvest and posing a danger of loss for local farmers.

Heavy rains flatten summer autumn rice in the Mekong Delta for the last few days (Photo: SGGP)

Statistics by the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development show that 600,000 hectares of summer autumn rice have been harvested with the productivity of 5.9 tons a hectare for the last couple of days. Prices have been high ensuring profit for farmers.

Still unabated heavy rain has caused many rice fields fall down.

Mr. Truong Tan Duoc, head of Agriculture and Rural Development Department in Mang Thit district, Vinh Long province reported that 600 hectares of summer autumn rice have fallen to the ground, resulting in productivity reduction of 30-40 percent in Tan Long, Chanh Hoi and Nhon phu communes.

Many rice fields have been flooded raising difficulties for combine harvesters to operate while it has been difficult to find laborers to cut rice with sickles despite high price.

Agriculture and Rural Development Department in Tan Hong district, Dong Thap province yesterday said that farmers in the district are entering peak harvest time.

So far, the district has harvested over 6,000 out of 25,000 hectares of summer autumn rice with the productivity of 5.5-6 tons a hectare.

Traders pay VND4,800-4,900 a kilogram of fresh normal rice. Long grain rice fetches VND5,200-5,400 a kilogram and fragrant rice is priced VND5,600-5,800 a kilogram. With these prices, farmers earn a profit of VND12-15 million a hectare.

Long An, Vinh Long and An Giang provinces are also reaping summer autumn rice.

According to Vietnam Food Association, rice export was estimated to reach 2.7 million tons in the first half this year with value nearing US$1.2 billion. Export price averages US$444.6 a ton. China continues being the largest import market of Vietnam, accounting for 43 percent market share.