Vietnam Farmers Battle Mysterious Crop Deaths Amidst Economic Woes

Farmers in Vietnam's Dong Thap province are in distress as their crops are dying inexplicably, leaving them uncertain about the upcoming planting season. While provincial authorities investigate the cause of the widespread crop failure, many farmers are attempting to cut costs and prepare for new sowings amidst mounting worries.

In Long Dinh commune, one of the areas hardest hit, fields of dead crops remain unharvested. Some produce that reached maturity could not be sold and has been left to rot, emitting foul odors. Mr. Nguyen Huu Danh, who cultivated over 1.2 hectares of fragrant herbs, faces a potential loss of nearly 42 tons of produce, estimated to yield over 290 million Vietnamese dong before costs.

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Just a few days before harvest, after pumping water from the canal as usual, the entire crop showed abnormal signs.

"Just a few days before harvest, after pumping water from the canal as usual, the entire crop showed abnormal signs," Mr. Danh explained. "Initially, the young leaves turned pale yellow, then the tips burned, and they gradually withered. Seeing the plants like this, traders stopped coming."

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Initially, the young leaves turned pale yellow, then the tips burned, and they gradually withered. Seeing the plants like this, traders stopped coming.

This phenomenon is unprecedented for Mr. Danh, who has been farming for over 13 years. Despite the significant losses, he feels compelled to prepare for the next season, as it is his primary source of income. He plans to use surviving plants for propagation to reduce costs, though success rates are uncertain.

Similar situations are reported in other communes, affecting hundreds of households and thousands of hectares. According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, over 319 hectares of crops belonging to 627 households have been impacted, with total estimated damages around 20 billion Vietnamese dong. The investigation into the cause is ongoing, leaving farmers like Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Trang hesitant to plant new crops until the issue is resolved.

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I haven't dared to start a new crop because if the cause isn't fixed, continuing production is very risky.