Well-developed irrigation systems in the Mekong Delta have played a key role in agricultural and fishery production and the ongoing shifting of the regions' economic structure, speakers pointed out at a Dec 11 conference in Can Tho.
The conference was organised by the Southwestern Steering Committee and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In 1995, when the irrigation system was poorly developed, average agricultural productivity was only 4.1 tonnes per ha, and paddy yield 12.8 million tonnes.
Since 1996, paddy productivity has increased sharply. Last year, productivity reached an average of 5.6 tonnes per ha, with total production of 23.1 million tonnes.
The region now has five reservoirs, 1,221 pumping stations, 11,138 kilometres of canals, more than 25,900 kilometres of dykes, and sea dykes measuring a total of 460 kilometres in length.
Besides bringing water to nearly 4 million ha of farmland every year, the irrigation system has also helped expand aquaculture farms in the region.
In 1995, the region had a total of 289,200 ha of water surface, with aquaculture productivity of 267,000 tonnes.
Last year, the region had nearly 740,000 ha of water surface for fish and shrimp cultivation.
The Delta has identified priority projects, programmes and implementation plans through 2020 and to 2050.
A few months ago, the Government also issued an irrigation development plan for the Mekong Delta that would help the region adapt to climate change and higher sea-levels.
The plan aims to gradually improve the irrigation systems, water supply, drainage, flood control and salinity control for 1.8 million ha of rice-farming land in the delta.
The plan also calls for the completion of a system of sea dykes and river dykes, and regulation of the sewerage system to maintain fresh water and prevent salinity.-VNA
The conference was organised by the Southwestern Steering Committee and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In 1995, when the irrigation system was poorly developed, average agricultural productivity was only 4.1 tonnes per ha, and paddy yield 12.8 million tonnes.
Since 1996, paddy productivity has increased sharply. Last year, productivity reached an average of 5.6 tonnes per ha, with total production of 23.1 million tonnes.
The region now has five reservoirs, 1,221 pumping stations, 11,138 kilometres of canals, more than 25,900 kilometres of dykes, and sea dykes measuring a total of 460 kilometres in length.
Besides bringing water to nearly 4 million ha of farmland every year, the irrigation system has also helped expand aquaculture farms in the region.
In 1995, the region had a total of 289,200 ha of water surface, with aquaculture productivity of 267,000 tonnes.
Last year, the region had nearly 740,000 ha of water surface for fish and shrimp cultivation.
The Delta has identified priority projects, programmes and implementation plans through 2020 and to 2050.
A few months ago, the Government also issued an irrigation development plan for the Mekong Delta that would help the region adapt to climate change and higher sea-levels.
The plan aims to gradually improve the irrigation systems, water supply, drainage, flood control and salinity control for 1.8 million ha of rice-farming land in the delta.
The plan also calls for the completion of a system of sea dykes and river dykes, and regulation of the sewerage system to maintain fresh water and prevent salinity.-VNA
