Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Tien Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is undertaking measures to protect 112,000 hectares of fruit trees and rice from saltwater intrusion, especially those in Cai Lay, Cai Be, Chau Thanh and Tan Phuoc districts.
The locality has over 77,000 hectares of fruit trees, including 16,000 hectares growing pineapples in Dong Thap Muoi, and 35,000 hectares of summer-autumn rice.
The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has provided local farmers with cultivation techniques suitable for salt-stress conditions and asked them to save water for irrigation.
Additionally, the salinity of local rivers has been examined four times per day to ensure a safe water supply for farming, while dykes have been built in the most vulnerable areas to prevent saltwater intrusion.
Nguyen Thien Phap, head of the department’s irrigation and flood prevention division, recommended communes around the Bac Dong, Lo Moi, Nguyen Van Tiep, Cho Bung, Sau Au–Xoai Hot canals in Chau Thanh and Tan Phuoc districts that grow large areas of rice, vegetables and industrial trees should urgently reinforce field dams and closely monitor salinity in the Vam Co River.-VNA
