Proactively deploy solutions to respond to climate change

(Baonghean.vn)- Voters in Nghe An province requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with ministries and branches to support localities in developing long-term plans to proactively cope with climate change, prioritizing capital sources to build and repair reservoir systems and store water to prevent drought. At the same time, direct localities to develop plans to protect water sources of rivers and streams in the area; research and produce drought-resistant rice and crop varieties, maintain agricultural land areas with favorable irrigation conditions, and avoid building projects on agricultural land areas.

Regarding this issue, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development responded as follows:

In recent years, due to the impact of climate change, drought and saltwater intrusion have frequently occurred in our country, especially in the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions. To minimize the damage caused by drought and water shortage, many short-term and long-term solutions have been directed and implemented by the Government, ministries, sectors and localities.

In long-term solutions, the construction of reservoirs has been given attention. Many large reservoirs such as Cua Dat (Thanh Hoa province), Song Sao (Nghe An province), Ta Trach (Thua Thien Hue province), ... have been invested in and built, contributing to solving the problem of drought and water shortage.

Applying drip irrigation technology to respond to climate change in production, illustrative photo

In the coming time, many irrigation works will continue to be invested in construction to increase water supply capacity and flood prevention. At the same time, increasing afforestation to regulate water resources, increase flow in the dry season; researching solutions to divert water sources to supplement drought-affected areas; improving the service capacity of existing irrigation works; providing guidance on crop restructuring, advanced irrigation, and water saving has been and is continuing to be implemented through the Forest Planting Program, the Reservoir Safety Assurance Program, the Canal Solidification Program, the Irrigation Sector Restructuring Projects, the Project to Improve the Efficiency of Irrigation Works Management and Exploitation, etc.

Water regulation, illustration photo

Along with the above long-term solutions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed and organized research to apply many drought-resistant crop varieties. Rice varieties such as CH208, LCH37, CH16... are currently being grown in the provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Nong, Dong Nai, Lao Cai, Ha Giang... and have proven their ability to adapt to drought, withstand unstable irrigation water conditions and produce high yields. Upland crop varieties such as corn, peanuts, and soybeans have also been researched and applied, suitable for areas converting inefficient rice land, areas with frequent drought, and are being widely grown in the South Central, Northern mountainous and Southern regions.

Dien Chau Youth Union members participate in dredging canals, documentary photo, illustration

To protect rice growing areas, the Government issued Decree No. 35/2015/ND-CP dated April 13, 2015 on management and use of rice growing land. It stipulates detailed contents related to management and use of rice growing land, support policies to protect and develop rice growing land. The Prime Minister also approved the Project on Restructuring the Agricultural Sector towards Increasing Added Value and Sustainable Development (Decision No. 899/QD-TTg dated June 10, 2013); in which, maintaining and flexibly using 3.8 million hectares of rice growing land to ensure food security and improve land use efficiency, rice output reaching over 45 million tons by 2020.

Protecting rice growing areas, illustration photo

To cope with the impacts of climate change, overcome drought, ensure agricultural production and people's lives, the National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province recommends that the Provincial People's Committee direct relevant agencies to proactively implement solutions to prevent and combat drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion; and use water economically and effectively.

PV (TH)