The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has lost more than 3,000haof coffee plants and 1,000ha of rice in this year's dry season thus far.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment estimates the damage at several million dollars, but is yetto release specific figures.
Water levels in reservoirshave already dropped to alarmingly low levels, rivers and streams aredrying up and more than 220,000ha of perennial industrial crops such ascoffee, pepper and cacao are at risk.
The lack of waterhas not only affected agricultural production but also the daily livesof thousands of households in the province.
"I have to goto a nearby stream before sunrise to dig for water. But it takes mehours to find some," said Y Krin Eban, a resident of Krong BongDistrict.
The situation is not likely to improve anytime soon.
TranVan Thieu, Director of the Dak Lak Water Supply and Construction JSC,said the company's water reserves has dropped to 4,000 cubic metres,which can only meet 75-80 per cent of local demand for clean water.
"If the drought continues, and farmers keep pumping underground water, our reserves will drop even lower," he added.
Todeal with the prolonged water shortage, the province has set up adrought control committee and deployed water trucks in residentialareas. However, officials admit that such measures are unlikely toprovide lasting relief.
Dr. Le Ngoc Bau, head of theWestern Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, noteddrought is common in the Central Highlands region during the dry-season.
"A sound irrigation and water management system isrequired as part of a permanent solution for the region's water shortageproblem, and we need to take other measures including planting foreststo conserve water both above and under the ground. Switching to cropsthat are more drought resistant should also be considered," he said.
Largeinvestments are required for such large-scale projects, said TrangQuang Thanh, head of the provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, adding that his office has requested the Dak Lakadministration for more funds.-VNA
The provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment estimates the damage at several million dollars, but is yetto release specific figures.
Water levels in reservoirshave already dropped to alarmingly low levels, rivers and streams aredrying up and more than 220,000ha of perennial industrial crops such ascoffee, pepper and cacao are at risk.
The lack of waterhas not only affected agricultural production but also the daily livesof thousands of households in the province.
"I have to goto a nearby stream before sunrise to dig for water. But it takes mehours to find some," said Y Krin Eban, a resident of Krong BongDistrict.
The situation is not likely to improve anytime soon.
TranVan Thieu, Director of the Dak Lak Water Supply and Construction JSC,said the company's water reserves has dropped to 4,000 cubic metres,which can only meet 75-80 per cent of local demand for clean water.
"If the drought continues, and farmers keep pumping underground water, our reserves will drop even lower," he added.
Todeal with the prolonged water shortage, the province has set up adrought control committee and deployed water trucks in residentialareas. However, officials admit that such measures are unlikely toprovide lasting relief.
Dr. Le Ngoc Bau, head of theWestern Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, noteddrought is common in the Central Highlands region during the dry-season.
"A sound irrigation and water management system isrequired as part of a permanent solution for the region's water shortageproblem, and we need to take other measures including planting foreststo conserve water both above and under the ground. Switching to cropsthat are more drought resistant should also be considered," he said.
Largeinvestments are required for such large-scale projects, said TrangQuang Thanh, head of the provincial Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, adding that his office has requested the Dak Lakadministration for more funds.-VNA
