The people of the highlands of Nghe An have started harvesting their seasonal rice crop. In Xop Kha Village, Yen Hoa Commune, Tuong Duong District, where 100% of the population are Kho Mu ethnic people, residents cross streams and climb mountains to harvest the vibrant golden rice.
At this time, in the highland districts of Nghe An, the seasonal rice fields have begun to ripen, covering the mountainsides in a brilliant golden hue. The Kho Mu people in Tuong Duong are also in the midst of their 'golden crop' harvest. Photo: HTThe Kho Mu people in Xop Kha Village, Yen Hoa Commune, typically grow two rice crops a year on the high mountain slopes. As a result, the path to the fields is steep, often requiring ladders to climb. Photo: HT The golden rice fields in the sunshine of Xop Kha Village are now ready for harvest. The villagers often help each other with the harvest in a rotational system. Due to the steep slopes and small field sizes, machines cannot be used, so the Kho Mu people in Yen Hoa still harvest manually. Photo: HTThe Kho Mu people of Yen Hoa use a traditional tool called the "hep" to harvest the rice. This tool has been passed down through generations. The "hep" is made from iron and bamboo, small and compact, fitting snugly in the palm of the hand. "Here, people often use the 'hep' to select and harvest evenly ripened rice with large, firm grains to save for seeds. For the main harvest, we only cut enough for consumption, and it’s only towards the end of the season when the rice fully ripens that we bring everything home," shared Lu Van Quang, head of Xop Kha Village. Photo: HTThe rice on the upland fields of western Nghe An has ripened to a vibrant golden color. According to Yen Hoa Commune's Vice Chairman, Mong Van Vien, the commune has 10 hectares of rice, mainly concentrated in Cooc and Canh Khin villages, with some in Xop Kha. Over the years, the commune has been testing several new high-yield, disease-resistant rice varieties like NA2, NA6, SL9, and Huong Thuan. Photo: HTXop Kha Village has 85 households. Most of the families have seasonal rice fields, but rice production has been declining as young people leave to work elsewhere, sending money home to buy rice instead. Currently, the agricultural workforce in Xop Kha is primarily elderly people. Photo: HTThe family of Mr. Tham Van Son in Xop Kha Village harvests about 400-500 kilograms of rice from their seasonal crop each year, enough to last until the next season. Mr. Son shared that his children have moved away for work, leaving just him and his wife at home. His family’s rice field is conveniently located right on the mountainside next to their house, making harvesting easier compared to other families who have to travel farther. He often cuts the ripened rice gradually and dries it in the sun. Photo: HTIn the 2024 rice season, the people of Xop Kha have had a bountiful harvest, with relatively high yields of about 350 kilograms per hectare, and the rice grains are well-ripened and firm. Photo: HTOnce harvested, the rice is bundled into small, hand-sized sheaves. Photo: HTIt is then placed in baskets and carried home. Photo: HTOn sunny days, the villagers hang the rice on drying lines; on rainy days, it is dried over the fire. The Kho Mu people often grow sticky rice in the seasonal crop, using it to make new rice flakes and steam sticky rice for festive occasions. Photo: HTThe Kho Mu people of western Nghe An harvest their seasonal rice crop. Video: HT
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