'Doctors' for plants

Regardless of sun or rain

Following the heavy rains in early September, the prolonged dry and sunny days have increased the risk of rice planthopper infestation in the late-season crop. Therefore, Pham Thu Thuy, an engineer at the Hai Duong Plant Cultivation and Protection Station, has been busier than ever. To accurately assess the extent of rice pest damage, Ms. Thuy has to go down to each field and inspect it. Sometimes she goes with colleagues, but other times she is alone, diligently searching for planthoppers and catching caterpillars in the vast fields.

Ms. Thuy has been involved in crop pest investigation for 17 years, so she has experienced and deeply understood the difficulties of the profession. She shared: "Due to the nature of the work, we spend more time in the fields than at home. Hot, stormy, or freezing days make the work even more difficult. Despite this, everyone is persistent, responsible, and not afraid of hard work because even a moment of carelessness can lead to an increase in pests and diseases, harming the crops."

For Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, a specialist in the Professional Affairs Department (Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection), plant protection work is closely linked to field trips because without being present in the field, it would be impossible to detect pests and diseases in a timely manner. In recent years, erratic weather patterns have created favorable conditions for pests and diseases to develop and cause damage. Without close monitoring of the fields, accurate forecasting, and guidance for effective pest control, pests and diseases will spread rapidly, directly affecting the yield and quality of agricultural products.

“There are days when I have to travel nearly 100 km, through many areas, to check on the condition of the crops. But the job is not just about investigating and detecting; it also requires assessing and predicting disease outbreaks accurately to advise farmers on effective pest and disease control and balanced, appropriate care, minimizing waste of materials,” Mr. Hung expressed.

Thanks to the dedication and responsibility of plant protection specialists and engineers, farmers feel more secure in their production. Mr. Pham Huu Thuong, head of the Trac Chau residential group in Thanh Dong ward, commented: “Plant protection specialists regularly coordinate with the residential group to visit the fields to inspect and guide farmers on how to identify and control pests and diseases. There are times when pests and diseases spread rapidly, and without the guidance of specialists, it would be very difficult for people to correctly identify pests and diseases and how to treat them. Thanks to timely information and guidance, farmers are more proactive and minimize losses in production.”

Perseverance in the profession

As the demand for clean and safe agricultural products increases, the work of these "plant doctors" becomes even more stressful and demanding. To properly implement VietGAP and GlobalGAP production processes, plant protection engineers must closely monitor the fields and provide hands-on guidance to farmers. However, changing farmers' farming habits is not easy and requires each specialist to be persistent and dedicated in their guidance.

The Vinh Bao Plant Cultivation and Protection Station is responsible for a large area of ​​over 11,000 hectares of rice, vegetables, and fruit trees. However, the station only has 5 leaders and specialists. Therefore, to support farmers in protecting their crops, the specialists at the station must constantly share information and assist each other.

Mr. Pham Quy Ky, Head of the Vinh Bao Plant Cultivation and Protection Station, said: “Plant protection in the current agricultural production context is not simply about disease control, but also about ensuring the quality of agricultural products to meet market demands. Farmers must keep production logs. Areas with assigned planting area codes must be managed more closely. Therefore, the workload for the plant protection force is heavier. Despite this, the specialists and engineers at the station remain dedicated, undeterred by hardship and getting their hands dirty, to persevere in their work.”

Hai Phong boasts a diverse and developed agricultural sector. Annually, the city cultivates approximately 150,000 hectares of rice, over 60,000 hectares of vegetables, and 28,000 hectares of fruit trees. Furthermore, specialized production zones have been established within the city, focusing on the strengths of each locality. Many agricultural products have established strong brands, such as lychees, guavas, onions, garlic, and carrots. Hai Phong is also a leading example nationwide in clean, green, and high-tech agriculture. Therefore, plant protection is always a priority, requiring engineers and specialists to continuously learn and improve their professional knowledge to meet job demands.

According to Mr. Pham Duc Loc, Head of the Professional Department (Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection), the city currently has more than 70 plant protection specialists and engineers. In a production environment that increasingly demands high quality and traceability, the role of these "plant doctors" becomes even more important. Although they don't directly produce agricultural products, they contribute to protecting the fruits of farmers' labor.

NGUYEN MO