Delta turns to tech to fight climate change

Viet Nam News HCM CITY – Experts have urged authorities in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta region to use cutting-edge technologies to restructure the agricultural sector in the face of climate change. Speaking at a conference held in Tiền Giang Province late last week, Dr. Nguyễn Văn Sánh of the Institute for Research and Development of the Mekong Delta at Cần Thơ University, said the agricultural sector was facing challenges due to degradation of natural resources and land, mostly caused by climate change. Major agricultural products in the region such as fisheries, fruit and rice face severe competition in both local and foreign markets. Sánh said that biotechnology, new production techniques and hi-tech applications as well as new state policies to promote sustainable agriculture were all needed to restructure the agricultural sector. He proposed setting up a network of scientists in the field to promote the implementation of a 2017 Government resolution on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta and a separate Government decision on agricultural restructuring. He recommended setting up a regional information and data centre in the Mekong Delta to facilitate the operation of the network. He said it was essential to ensure water security in response to climate change, and to help agricultural enterprises improve their value chains. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, recommended that the Government develop incentives so that companies would invest in and use hi-tech in agricultural development. He said the Government… [Read full story]