Rising from the center of the storm
In 2021, Song Tu Tay Island (Truong Sa District, Khanh Hoa Province) suffered a major storm. Nearly 90% of the island's trees fell. Immediately after the storm, officers, soldiers and people started to rebuild each garden, replant each young tree with the determination to restore the green color at the beginning of the wave.
Up to now, Song Tu Tay island has owned a 400m2 nursery, providing more than 5,000 seedlings per year. These green shoots not only help rebuild the island's ecosystem but are also sent to the islands in Truong Sa archipelago and presented to the working groups visiting as gifts of gratitude that encapsulate love for the country.
Professional Captain Pham Xuan Hoang shared: "In the island, every tree is a resilient. Especially, the maple tree, square eagle, coconut or trees.
Not only planting trees to create shade and keep the soil, the island soldiers also maintain the planting of green vegetables. Captain Hoang said that during the rough sea season from July to the end of December, strong winds carrying saltwater steam make the leaves easily turn yellow. To protect vegetables, officers and soldiers use silver fabric to block wind and rain. The vegetables grown include mustard greens, Malabar spinach, squash, squash, etc., suitable for harsh climates.
Sharing with fishermen
On Sinh Ton Island, the trees here express the vitality of the island's name. From the rows of poplar, tripe, sturdy square banyan to papaya, squash and even the dry coconut flower gardens on the barren sand background, they all show miraculous adaptation.
Captain Do Van Tuyen - Commander of the Sinh Ton Island Technical Fertilizer Service Center, said - the vegetable growing area of about 200 m2 not only helps increase production but also provides 1.5 - 1.7 tons of vegetables and tubers per year for fishermen fishing near the island.
"The planting of vegetables on the island is flexibly arranged according to the fishermen's departure schedule. We usually sow the seeds about 15 days in advance, near the full moon, when catching squid becomes difficult or during the rough seas, so that when people return to the island, there will be green vegetables ready," Captain Tuyen informed.
Captain Tuyen said that sowing work also takes into account weather factors, especially the wind direction. In the Northeast wind season, thanks to the wind-blocking seaweed stalls, vegetables grow well. However, in the Southwest wind season, direct wind blowing makes growing vegetables difficult. Regarding freshwater sources, the unit proactively stores rainwater through tanks, ensuring enough for daily use, irrigation and support for fishermen.
In sunken islands such as Co Lin, Tay B rock, Dong A rock, farming conditions are more difficult. The vegetables are grown in styrofoam boxes, plastic pots, placed in greenhouses or used corrugated iron sheets and nets to cover them. Water for watering vegetables is mainly from rainwater and reusable from domestic water on the island.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Hieu - Political Commissar of Tay B Stone Island, said: "Growing vegetables not only improves daily meals but also helps improve the spiritual life of soldiers. Thanks to perseverance and creativity, for many years now, the islands have been proactive in stabilizing green vegetable sources".
Not stopping at food needs, island soldiers also take advantage of plastic pots to grow flowers and chili. The bougainvillea, sunflower, and ten-hour flower clusters blooming brilliantly in the open sea bring simple colors and joy.
A soldier on Co Lin Island emotionally shared: Knowing that the working groups were visiting, we have been taking care of flowers for many months. Flowers are kept in rooms to avoid salinity and waves, waiting for the day to welcome the group to bring them out as a spiritual gift from the remote island".
