Saltwater intrusion damages rice cultivation in Kien Giang (Source: VNA)Can Tho (VNA) – The Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region held a meeting on February 24 with leaders of Can Tho city and An Giang and Kien Giang provinces to step up the implementation of a project on building infrastructure serving agricultural restructuring in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle.
The Long Xuyen Quadrangle, which contains the three localities, has a total farming land area of around 350,000 hectares, accounting for one fourth of the Mekong Delta’s total area.
Irrigation works have greatly benefited the region in controlling floods and saltwater intrusion for years. However, they are poorly maintained and not suitable for the current conditions of a decrease in floods and severe drought and saline intrusion.
Nguyen Phong Quang, permanent deputy head of the Steering Committee, said that the project is of significance as it can help cope with floods and saltwater intrusion, as well as develop the transport system and agricultural production in the context of international economic integration.
The Government assigned the Steering Committee and Can Tho, An Giang and Kien Giang to promptly work on the project to submit it to relevant ministries and agencies on March 10.-VNA
