These conditions are ideal for local farmers to resume their normal production. However, this won’t be easy, as two-thirds of the households in the region are reported to have zero capital for reinvestment into production.
The 1000 square metre field of Hân’s family only grows cassava and corn, both of which are heat-resistant crops. However, even these heat-resistant crops couldn’t withstand this year’s persistent drought. The seeds had been sown, but the crops didn’t grow, forcing Hân to plough the land again and replant the seeds, increasing his production costs.
Huynh Ngoc Han, Xuan Quang 2 Commune, Dong Xuan District, Phu Yen Province said: "It’s costly to keep replanting like this! It’s like I have to do everything again from scratch".
According to local authorities, rain has recently returned and farmers can resume normal production, however, most farmers have been left empty-handed after the drought.
For the fourth time in a row, this cassava crop has been re-grown in this field, which means that for every 1000 square metres of land, local farmers have lost no less than US$540, a sum too large for the ethnic minority households to bear.
Ksor Hbok, Ea Cha Rang Commune, Son Hoa District, Phu Yen Province said: "When I start planting, the crops will grow immediately if there are rains. Otherwise, I’ll have to replant".
In order to not let their lands go to waste, local households have had no choice but to borrow money to invest in production, which drives up production costs even more. For instance, sugar cane is the main crop in the mountainous regions of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces, with an area of 40 thousand hectares. Due to replanting of crops, the production costs have increased by 30 to 40%. This has put a lot of pressure on local farmers.
Nguyen Ngoc Hoang, Chairman, Ninh Tan Commune’s Farmers’ Union, Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa Province said: "The Farmers’ Union already has an agreement with Agribank to ease up requirements in order for local farmers to receive loans. We’ll do anything to support the local farmers".
Thus, despite the fact that the drought has lessened in intensity, the effects it has on the lives of local farmers still lingers on.
