Saltwater intrusion affects seedling production in Ben Tre
Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre is affecting seedling production and farmers have taken measures to secure irrigation water, according to local authorities.
A sluice in under construction in Tan Phu commune of Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, to serve saltwater intrusion prevention and fresh water storage (Photo: VNA)
Ben Tre (VNA) - Saltwater intrusion in the MekongDelta province of Ben Tre is affecting seedling production and farmers havetaken measures to secure irrigation water, according to local authorities.
Saltwater intrusion has occurred 45 – 76km up the province’smain rivers, causing salinity of 1 - 4 parts per thousand, affecting threefourths of Cho Lach district, which is situated furthest from the sea.
The district’s farmers now regularly monitor the salinity ofirrigation canals and rivers to draw water and store in ponds or containerswhen it is low and suitable for irrigation.
Many have to buy water from elsewhere. Others haveadopted efficient irrigation methods like automatic spraying systems or aremanually irrigating the roots of seedlings.
Bui Thanh Liem, head of the Cho Lach Bureau of Agricultureand Rural Development, said after the severe saltwater intrusion in the 2015 – 2016dry season, seedling farmers in Cho Lach have proactively taken measures tocope with the salinity since seedlings are not very resistant to saltwater.
Authorities have taught farmers water storing models andfarming techniques to mitigate the impact of saltwater intrusion, he said.
Saltwater intrusion is forecast to occur until May./.
Immediate measures and long-term plans should be implemented quickly to help provinces in the Mekong Delta cope with drought and saline intrusion, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh has said.
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A sluice in under construction in Tan Phu commune of Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, to serve saltwater intrusion prevention and fresh water storage (Photo: VNA) 
