Local and international scientists are calling for drastic measures to tackle the visible threats of climate change on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's biggest rice granary, which feeds millions of Vietnamese. About 2.4 million out of four million hectares of land in the southern Mekong Delta Region are for rice cultivation, contributing 80 percent of Vietnam's six millions tons of rice export this year. The delta is also home to 22 percent of the national population. It produces half the nation's rice output of about 49 million tons a year, 60 percent of seafood, and 80 percent of fruit crops. But a grim outlook is in store since its listing among the low-lying river regions worldwide to be vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature said in a recent report released at the first Mekong Delta Climate Change Forum held in Can Tho City last week, that the region would be the area hardest hit by climate change in Vietnam. The lives of more than … [Read more...] about Climate change poses grave threat to Mekong Delta
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Needing to unify responses to climate changes in the Mekong Delta
On September 17, in Hanoi, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a conference on climate change in the Mekong Delta to offer fully integrated research, researching Mekong Delta must be placed in the context of impacts, changes to build and propose impaction mitigation plans as well as address challenges for the region. At the conference, Mrs. Anjali Acharya, coordinator of the World Bank (WB) said that Vietnam has many scenarios, many different predictions about the effects of climate change and how to help the provinces in the Mekong Delta make decisions promptly to respond and adapt to climate changes. However, in the context of climate change in the Mekong Delta we should pay attention to the goals of poverty reduction, the impact on the upper reaches side, offer solutions for regulations, work measures to reduce impact of floods and climate changes... Also at the conference, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang emphasized … [Read more...] about Needing to unify responses to climate changes in the Mekong Delta
Seminar seeks measures for Mekong Delta’s sustainable agricultural development
Mekong Delta - Vietnam's largest rice granary - has big natural potentialities to develop agriculture as well as seafood farming. However, the delta has mainly developed the economy in tendency of exploiting natural resources while investment in traffic, electricity and irrigation systems has been limited. That what heard at a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City April 21 to seek out measures for the delta's agricultural sustainable development with the participation of scientists from agriculture, forestry, seafood and environment sectors. The seminar was held to begin the forum Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation (MDEC) Kien Giang 2010, which take places in HCMC from April 21 to 25. With a contribution of 18 percent to the country's GDP, the delta has not been successful in creating an economic development breakthrough, which is equivalent with its potential. In addition, climate changes have much affected the Mekong Delta's agricultural production, with salt penetration, flooding, … [Read more...] about Seminar seeks measures for Mekong Delta’s sustainable agricultural development
Australia says will fund A$160 mln for Mekong Delta transport
Australia will invest A$160 million over five years in a major road transport project in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's food bowl, representing the largest single Australian aid activity in Southeast Asia, the Australian Embassy Hanoi said Monday. The project, called the Central Mekong Delta Connectivity Project, will link people and markets across the Mekong Delta to the rest of Southeast Asia and beyond, according to the Australian Embassy. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced this funding during her meeting with Vietnamese leaders on weekend in Hanoi, the embassy said. The Australian PM attended the ASEAN-Australia Summit on the sidelines of the 17th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi on October 30. In this project, Australia will provide a major contribution to the costs of building a new bridge across a major tributary of the Mekong River in Cao Lanh Town, Dong Thap Province. This bridge is a vital part of the major transport … [Read more...] about Australia says will fund A$160 mln for Mekong Delta transport
Gov’t plans Can Tho as Mekong Delta’s hub
Fruit for sale at a market in Can Tho. The Government has decided to make Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s biggest city, the region’s hub in many areas such as industry, science and technology, trade, service, transport tourism, education, health care and culture. The Can Tho People’s Committee announced the decision on Saturday. There will be two development stages: until 2015 and until 2025. The delta region’s hub covers 139,000 hectares and will house many new residential areas, new industrial parks, service quarters and eco-tourism parks. Being one of Vietnam’s five centrally-governed cities, Can Tho stands along the Hau River, one of the two main branches of the Mekong River in the country. Under the development plan until 2025, Can Tho’s northwest along the Hau River will give priorities to residential, industrial and service facilities, including a high-tech park and an area for heavy industries near a port. The southeast, along the river … [Read more...] about Gov’t plans Can Tho as Mekong Delta’s hub