Vegetable crops in Dong Thap turn white and die after irrigation from Giua canal

Farmers in Vietnam's Dong Thap province are facing significant crop losses, with dozens of hectares of vegetables turning white and dying after being irrigated with water from the Giua canal. The unusual phenomenon has left local growers in Long Dinh and Long Hung communes in a state of distress and confusion.

Crops such as taro, water spinach, rice, and even duckweed have exhibited abnormal white leaves and rapid deterioration. Mr. Dang Hoang Quan, a 42-year-old farmer with over a decade of experience, described the situation as unprecedented. He noted that his family has consistently followed standard farming practices, using fertilizers and pesticides correctly, yet their crops began to wither and die within days of receiving water from the canal.

"This situation has never happened before. After only a few days of pumping water from the canal into the fields, the vegetables started to burn at the tips, turn white, and then rot. We don't know if it's the water source or another reason. We hope the authorities will quickly determine the cause so we can resume production with peace of mind," Mr. Quan stated. He estimates his losses at tens of millions of dong, with his entire hectare of taro and other vegetables rendered unsellable.

Similar reports have emerged from other farmers in the area. Ms. Pham Thi Hang Nga, 40, is experiencing extensive damage to her mixed crops of bok choy and taro, estimating her losses at over 30 million dong. Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Trang, 34, observed that half of her water spinach crop died within two days of irrigation, while the portion not yet watered continued to grow normally. The widespread damage, affecting both cultivated crops and natural vegetation along the canal banks, has prompted urgent calls for an official investigation into the water quality.

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This situation has never happened before. After only a few days of pumping water from the canal into the fields, the vegetables started to burn at the tips, turn white, and then rot. We don't know if it's the water source or another reason. We hope the authorities will quickly determine the cause so we can resume production with peace of mind.