Da Nang Farmers' Associations at all levels across the city have actively advised and supported seeds and plants for members at the end of the year, contributing to helping farmers overcome difficulties, stabilise production and develop the economy ahead of Tet (traditional Vietnamese New Year) 2024.

Farmers proactively produce Tet crops to ensure supply for the market at the end of the year and the Lunar New Year 2024. Farmers areare sowing vegetable seeds at the Tuy Loan safe vegetable production area.  Photo: VAN HOANG

Mr. Nguyen Van Ai, a farmer in Hoa Xuan Ward, Cam Le District, has, so far, completed the sowing and is diligently taking care of flowers to serve the upcoming Tet market. This year, due to erratic weather and increased prices of plant seeds and agricultural materials, Mr. Ai proactively reduced the quantity and area of sowing and focused on improving the quality of flowers.

He said this year he planted about 4,000 marigolds, dahlias, bougainvillea, and petunias. Of these, about 2,000 flower varieties are supported by the Hoa Xuan Ward Farmers' Association. Due to concerns about the difficult economic situation and reduced demand for flowers and ornamental plants, he proactively reduced the number of plants compared to the previous year so as to limit risks and losses.

In addition to supporting Mr. Nguyen Van Ai, Hoa Xuan Ward Farmers' Association also supported about 2,000 flower varieties for Mr. Nguyen Quang Xi's family with a total cost of VND 40 million.

In addition, the association regularly monitors weather developments, pests and diseases to recommends that people take appropriate care measures. At the same time, this agency has advised local leaders to support farmers in renting vacant land in the area for agricultural production.

Mr. Le Anh Thang in Khue Trung Ward has just been given more than 3,000 varieties of petunia and gerbera hanging flowers by the Cam Le District Farmers' Association. In addition, he invested more than VND 50 million to grow five-coloured bougainvillea and all kinds of orchids to supply the market during the upcoming Tet holiday.

“This year, the price of crop seeds and agricultural materials has increased so my family is quite worried. However, with the support of the Cam Le District Farmers' Association for hanging flower varieties, we are happy to reduce the burden of investment costs in producing Tet flowers. Hopefully the weather in the coming time will be favourable to help flowers grow and develop well to serve the people’s demand.”, said Mr. Thang.

According to the Cam Le District Farmers' Association, more than 100 households in the city planted about 250,000 flower pots and ornamental plants to supply the upcoming Lunar New Year market.

Chairwoman of Hua District Farmers' Association Thi Thuy Phuong said that the association is very interested and supportive, and creates favourable conditions for farmers to produce at the end of the year. In November 2023, the association donated nearly 12,000 varieties of hanging flowers such as lilies, heather, petunias, and coins to 10 difficult farmer members with a total amount of VND 53 million.

At the 2023 OCOP agricultural and product market organized by the Da Nang Farmers' Association, the district’s administration donated 20,000 varieties of vegetables, lettuce and 20,000 varieties of marigolds and chrysanthemums to local farmer members.

In addition, farmer members who lack funds to buy seeds, agricultural materials, and fertilizers will be given the opportunity to borrow capital from the farmer support fund to develop production. In the coming time, the district’s Farmers' Association plans to give 100 gifts, each worth VND 500,000, to disadvantaged farmer members for Tet enjoyment.

The Cam Le District Farmers' Association’s members donate hanging flower varieties to farmer members in the area to produce the Tet flower crop 2024. Photo: H.D

Chairman of Thanh Khe District Farmers' Association Dam Van Hung said that currently, farmer members in the city have completed the sowing of flowers and actively fertilized them so that Tet flowers and plants can grow well for on-schedule supply to the market at Tet. This year, the area of flowers and ornamental plants did not change compared to last year, in which farmers mainly focused on growing hanging flowers, chrysanthemums, marigolds and lilies.

In order to promptly encourage and support members with difficulties in producing Tet flower crops, in November 2023, the district association deducted from the operating fund and donate nearly 400 varieties of lilies to households residing in Hoa Khe and Thanh Khe Tay wards.

The association always creates conditions for farmer members to rent space on the sidewalk of Ha Huy Tap Street for free to sell flowers and ornamental plants. In addition, in the coming time, gifts will be given to disadvantaged members in the area on Tet holidays.

According to Chairman of the Da Nang Farmers' Association, Nguyen Huu Thiet, recently, the Da Nang Farmers' Association has directed all levels of associations in the area to implement many solutions to support difficult farmer members to stabilise production and develop their businesses at the end of the year.

In particular, early disbursement of support funds for farmer members will be accelerated in a bid to support farmers to produce flowers, ornamental plants, vegetables, and raise livestock.

In addition, the association regularly monitors weather developments, pests and diseases and recommends that people take care measures to promote plant growth.

In the coming time, the municipal Farmers' Association will continue to carry out social welfare work well to help disadvantaged farmer members have the conditions to celebrate Tet.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC - Translating by A.THU