Hai Lang – food basket of Quang Tri Province

Until now, Hai Lang’s fields have become the rice basket of the province. The farmers in Hai Lang, from this renowned region, are known for their high-level cultivation skills and mastery over all scientific and technological advancements throughout the rice production chain. Currently, the total food grain production of Hai Lang district has reached over 90,000 tons, with the production value per hectare reaching 5,300 USD/ha, placing it among the top areas in Quang Tri Province.

For Hai Lang district, the journey from a flooded and monoculture-prone region, facing countless difficulties and shortages, to its efforts in becoming a key rice-producing area in Quang Tri province, is a long story filled with enduring human values. These values are reflected in the way people organize their lives, their production methods, and the philosophy of “dĩ nông vi bản” (making agriculture the foundation), passed down through generations of Hai Lang’s residents. This region is often compared to the Dong Thap Muoi of Quang Tri province. The story of rice in Hai Lang begins with an important event for both the land and the people of the southernmost part of the province. At 8:30 AM on May 18, 1990, a grand ceremony was held at Hai Lang High School to celebrate the re-establishment of Hai Lang district.

Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, Ha Sy Dong, testing the rice transplanting machine from the Quang Tri Trade Corporation Joint Stock Company. Source: L.A

This moment was even more significant because it coincided with the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth, on May 19, 1890-1990. In the speech delivered by the Secretary of the District Party Committee, Hoang Xuan Hoa, it was emphasized that nearly 15 years after the district’s liberation in 1975, the face of the region had gradually begun to change. Alongside the successful agricultural intensification examples in Long Hung, Dai An Khe, and Vinh Thang, there were emerging examples in areas of the lowlands such as Tho Bac and Hung Nhon.

It is important to note that the heavily flooded region, which accounts for more than half of the district’s total area, had no controlled irrigation system in place, which remained a major concern for both the local authorities and residents during both the dry and rainy seasons. The irrigation systems were not yet developed, and agricultural production remained underdeveloped.

Along with the re-establishment of the district, the immediate task for the locality was to focus on completing agricultural production plans, harvesting the winter-spring crop quickly, implementing the summer-autumn crop well, and launching the construction of the N2A irrigation system to ensure water for the fields.

During the ceremony, Nguyen Buong, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, also shared that the province understood the district was facing many challenges: flooding, monoculture, and inadequate infrastructure. However, with the region’s agricultural development potential, the leadership of local authorities, and the hardworking, creative spirit of the people, Hai Lang would undoubtedly see significant progress in the future. In his essay “Cactus Blooming in the Drought, Amid the Floods of Hai Lang” published in the Quang Tri newspaper on May 17, 1990, author Nguyen Hoan reported that at the time of Hai Lang’s re-establishment, the district had around 5,500 hectares of rice fields, of which only 1,500 hectares received irrigation water from the Nam Thach Han waterworks in the winter-spring crop and 1,000 hectares in the summer-autumn crop.

According to the design, the N2A canal would provide irrigation for 180 hectares of rice in the communes of Hai Phu, Hai Thuong, and Hai Lam. However, the water source had not yet reached communes such as Hai Tho, Hai Truong, Hai Tan, Hai Hoa, and Hai Son, leaving these fields "dry." The N6 canal could only irrigate 800 hectares out of the 1,400 hectares it was designed for in areas like Hai Ba, Hai Que, and the Kim Giao cooperative in Hai Duong commune, while the summer-autumn crop in Hai Duong could not receive irrigation at all.

Faced with 4,000 hectares of fields without controlled irrigation, Hai Lang district mobilized all available resources to save the crops by utilizing local water sources, leveraging rivers, lakes, and ponds to provide water to the rice fields. They also combined pump machines running on oil and electricity with water wheel systems, taking advantage of water reservoirs like Phuoc Mon, Phu Long, and Khe Muong to quench the thirst of the vast farmlands in Hai Son, Hai Truong, Hai Tho, and Hai Thien.

Using the rice transplanting machine in the fields of Hai Que commune, Hai Lang district. Source: D.T

Nguyen Khac Chu, Director of the Department of Agriculture (in 1990), remarked that due to the geographical characteristics of Hai Lang, with hills and coastal areas cut off by rivers and streams, some lowland areas had a very low terrain, making agricultural organization challenging. However, the farmers of Hai Lang overcame this disadvantage by applying new rice varieties and establishing a reasonable crop schedule to avoid early-season droughts and late-season floods. Their rice plants were sturdy, disease-resistant, and produced high-quality yields.

In the 1989-1990 winter-spring crop, cooperatives such as Vinh Loi, Tho Bac, Van Nam, and Thuong Xa achieved 15-20% higher yields by replacing their traditional rice varieties with higher-quality seeds. By 1990, the average rice yield in the district had risen to over 30 quintals per hectare. The new rice varieties such as CR203, IR36, MTL61, and CN2 opened a new chapter in Hai Lang’s agricultural landscape.

Since 2022, during the harvest season, Mr. Ho Xuan Hieu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sepon Group, often invited me to visit Hai Que commune to see their organic rice production. Collaborating with the Kim Long cooperative, Sepon Group applied new techniques and technology by guiding farmers through the rice-growing process, using machine transplanting technology that is 10-15 times faster and reduces labor costs by 60-70% compared to manual planting. They also used high-quality organic fertilizers and automated machines to reduce labor for farmers, producing indigenous microorganisms and biological products to protect and nourish the rice plants.

Moreover, the company used drones to spray biological products on rice fields, reducing costs for farmers and protecting the rice plants from damage. The application of circular economy practices in organic rice farming was also vividly demonstrated by the use of rice straw wrapped with molasses for post-harvest collection, which helps protect the soil and reduce environmental pollution. The straw was used to feed cattle, while the rice husks were made into bedding for poultry, and the poultry manure was collected to make organic fertilizer for the rice plants.

On the production side, to turn challenges into advantages, the district has focused on promoting agricultural development across three regions: lowlands, hills, and sandy areas. In 2024, the rice cultivation area reached 13,637.4 hectares (including 6,888.5 hectares for winter-spring and 6,850 hectares for summer-autumn). The main rice varieties included Khang Dan (30.2%), DBR 57 (23.9%), and others like An Sinh 1399, HN6, and HG 244. The average yield reached a record high of 64.67 quintals per hectare, with winter-spring crops yielding 67.28 quintals per hectare and summer-autumn crops yielding 62 quintals per hectare. The total rice production reached 88,188.4 tons. The good harvest and favorable prices have motivated farmers to continue producing.

The large fields in the lowland area of Hai Lang district. Source: D.T

A highlight in rice production in Hai Lang today is the expansion of high-quality rice areas, which cover 9,527.6 hectares. The district also has 1,695.1 hectares of large fields and 524.7 hectares of rice seed production. The district continues to promote organic rice production with around 410 hectares, as well as the VietGAP model and the connection between rice producers and businesses. A total of 467.1 hectares are involved in production-consumption linkages.

To protect the rice fields, the district consistently forecasts and manages pests, offering timely guidance for pest control. There is a strong push to apply integrated plant health management (IPHM) to protect crops, preserve soil health, and maintain ecological balance. The district has encouraged the use of drones for pest control and the application of indigenous microorganisms and biological products in pest management. The timely response to pest outbreaks has helped increase productivity and safeguard the rice harvests in both crops. More than 87.5 hectares of rice use drone technology for pest control.

The use of drone technology has reduced production costs, labor demands, and health risks for both humans and the environment. The increase in mechanization for soil preparation and rice harvesting has also accelerated production, ensuring the timely harvest. As the Lunar New Year 2025 approaches, Hai Lang district has set a goal to achieve a production value of over 5,300 USD per hectare and a total output of over 84,000 tons of grain. The rice area will remain stable at 13,450 hectares, using high-quality rice varieties. The leading varieties will include Khang Dan, An Sinh 1399, HN6, DD2, Ha Phat 3, and others like Bac Thom 7, DV 108, VNR 20, JO2, TBR 97, TBR 279, ST 25, QR1, DQ11, HG 12, and ADI28. There will be 500 hectares for seed rice production and 9,500 hectares for high-quality rice.

In early 2022, the province experienced an unusual flood from March 31 to April 2, 2022. Just as the saying goes, “When the flood comes in March, those with rice seeds will grind them for later,” this extreme and unprecedented flood devastated many regions during the crucial winter-spring crop, resulting in significant agricultural losses. Many key production areas were wiped out, impacting the lives and livelihoods of local people.

Dan Tam - Ngoc Mai