In Cam Lo district of Quang Tri province, the villages of Mai Dan and Thiet Xa bore the brunt of heavy bombardment during the war.
The aftermath left these areas riddled with explosive ordnance (EO) from the conflict, restricting local freedom of movement and preventing safe access to agricultural land. As hunger kept chasing, many people living in the villages chose to take risks and grow cassava on contaminated land for food. Due to the lack of productivity, they again left the land abandoned.
In 2016, MAG undertook the critical task of clearing this area, benefiting 72 households. Once the land was declared safe, local farmers, took the opportunity to cultivate pepper trees and secure their livelihoods.
“Furthermore, during the clearance, MAG not only made the land free of bombs but also assisted us in digging cultivation lanes, simplifying the process of planting pepper trees. In the early days of planting these trees, we also received support with fertilizers and techniques.” “Previously, we could harvest up to 100 kg of pepper per 500 square metres of land annually," Mr Hai shared.
As well as clearing the garden, MAG also made the land used for paddy fields safe. Before clearance, Hai could only plow cautiously and manually due to the looming risk of UXO. However, post-clearance, he embraced the use of mechanical assets to alleviate his family's efforts in the field.
However, the recent economic downturn and climate change have affected his family's pepper business.
Recent dry and hot weather conditions along with irregular rainy seasons have hindered pepper flowering. Heavy rains during the rainy season also increased humidity, leading to widespread disease outbreaks.
Additionally, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered an economic crisis in the country, causing a significant drop in pepper prices.
This combination of factors has caused Hai’s family pepper business to suffer, putting the future of their operations in doubt. The family and fellow locals are now focusing on growing other crops to diversify their incomes streams.
In contrast to the past, when the contaminated land discouraged any intervention or crop change, the cleared land offered newfound confidence and initiative. Hai, along with his neighbors, took the step of diversifying their crops to include durian and other fruit trees, renowned for their higher income potential and enhanced productivity.
The couple of Mrs Ly and Mr Cong also embarked on this transformative journey, transforming their garden into a rich tapestry of fruit trees, including jackfruits, pomegranates, guavas, and more. The land that was once tainted by the horrors of war has now blossomed into a place of hope and prosperity, where resilience and adaptation prevail.
Source MAG VN
