Saltwater intrusion causes

Seminar participants check out facilities used in smart agriculture. (Photo: VNA) Tra Vinh (VNA) - The embrace of digitisation is necessary to cope with saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta , experts have said. The delta, the country’s largest rice, fruit and seafood producer, is affected by saltwater intrusion from the sea up rivers every year in the dry season. Nguyen Hieu Trung, deputy rector of Can Tho University, said the delta has been affected by climate change in recent years, especially by drought and worsening saltwater intrusion which cause severe damage to agriculture. Speaking at a seminar in Tra Vinh Province earlier this week, he said it should take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution to create new value for agricultural production. This would reduce the risks and improve the value of agricultural produce and farmers’ incomes, he added. Experts at the seminar analysed and presented solutions for using information technology to cope … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta should adopt digitisation in agriculture: experts

The farm gate prices for Thai jackfruit in Vietnam's Mekong Delta have dropped by VND2,000-3,000 (8-12 U.S. cents) per kilogram, but farmers are still struggling to find buyers, forcing many to leave jackfruits piling up in their gardens or use the crop as animal feed. Hoang Van Linh, a resident of Cai Lay District of Tien Giang Province, said his garden is full of ripe jackfruits, but traders simply are not interested. Linh has resorted to giving the harvest to family and friends. He switched from growing durians to jackfruits in 2016 when saltwater intrusion began affecting his growing operation. Now, with durians selling for VND40,000-50,000 ($1.7-2) per kilogram, he regrets the decision. “The Thai jackfruit trees on my farm are bursting with ripe fruits, but no one wants them,” complained Nguyen Van Tu, another farmer in Cai Lay District. Three years ago, when jackfruit prices were at VND40,000 per kilogram, Tu’s family was able to earn about VND5 million ($215) per … [Read more...] about Vietnamese farmers downbeat over tumbling Thai jackfruit prices

UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam Caitlin Wiesen. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam Caitlin Wiesen suggests measures to realise the new integrated development plan of Mekong Delta 2021-2030 while talking to Việt Nam News on the launch of the plan on Tuesday. How do you assess the missions and orientations of the master plan of the Mekong Delta region in the 2021-30 period with a vision towards 2050. Remarkably, the plan sets the target that agricultural production will be transformed to adapt to changes in natural conditions in accordance with three ecological sub-regions? I would like to congratulate the Government on this first regional master plan for the Mekong Delta. This is the first multi-sector, inter-disciplinary, and inter-provincial master plan, which is the right direction for planning and sets a good example for other regions to follow. The plan employs nature-based solutions and a people-centred approach for … [Read more...] about Master plan expected to create breakthrough development for Mekong Delta