According to Lao Dong's report on January 2, nearly 4 months after the historic flood, the largest mulberry farm in Yen Bai province is still in a state of desolation and desolation.
Mulberry trees are withered and dead, unable to recover. In the fields, farmers are cutting down branches and clearing the land to prepare for the new crop.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mo (40 years old, Viet Thanh commune, Tran Yen district) said that her family lost nearly 8 sao of mulberry trees and now has to start over.
"The traditional Tet holiday is approaching, difficulties are piling up but we have to continue working to make a living. Currently, the alluvial layer on the land is very thick, we are trying to restore it as soon as possible for farming," said Ms. Mo.
With more than 10 years of experience in growing mulberry and raising silkworms, Mr. Tran Van Luc (42 years old, Viet Thanh, Tran Yen) shared that right after the flood receded, for the mulberry areas that were flooded and had the ability to recover, his family dug trenches between the rows to increase drainage of flood water, cut the tops, and trimmed off muddy leaves to nourish the young shoots.
"Not only the mulberry trees but also more than 7 sao of the family's fish pond were flooded, all the fish were carried into the river by the flood. Currently, the family is only waiting for the new batch of silkworms, it is expected that the mulberry trees will continue to be harvested in February," Mr. Luc said.
According to Chairwoman of Viet Thanh Commune People's Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga, this year the flood was so strong that the people in the commune could not cope, the dike along the Red River broke in several sections, causing the mulberry fields to be submerged in a vast sea of water.
"Nearly 220 hectares of mulberry in the commune were flooded, 40 hectares of rice and more than 60 hectares of vegetables also suffered the same fate. Many households had just harvested cocoons but were unable to sell them due to the flood, so the cocoons were old and had to be discarded. Hundreds of households were raising silkworms and had to throw them away because the mulberry was flooded and the food source was exhausted," informed the Chairman of the People's Committee of Viet Thanh commune.
Tran Yen is the largest mulberry material area in Yen Bai province, with nearly 1,000 hectares, bringing in over 300 billion VND in value each year for the local people. The farmers' lives mainly focus on growing mulberry, raising silkworms, and supplying cocoons to the Yen Bai silk factory.
After storm No. 3, almost the entire mulberry growing area of the district was flooded, of which nearly 700 hectares were severely affected, concentrated in communes with large areas located along the Red River such as Viet Thanh, Y Can, Dao Thinh, Bao Dap...
