Protecting water resources ensures food security

(Baonghean) Nghe An Newspaper interviewed Mr. Nguyen Duy Nhu - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Natural Resources and Environment on the occasion of World Water Day (March 22).

PV: Sir, water is a global issue and this year's World Water Day has the theme "Water and Food Security". So, could you tell us about the important role of water in the current food security issue?

Comrade Nguyen Duy Nhu:Water plays a very important role in life on earth, including ensuring food security. In fact, countries, territories, ethnic groups, and regions with water scarcity all lead to food poverty. According to a world survey, of the total volume of water currently exploited and used is 3,800 billion m3, water for irrigation for agriculture alone accounts for 70% (2,700 billion m3). In particular, for developing countries, nearly 95% of the volume of water used in their country is for irrigation for agriculture. However, according to the results of the investigation and research, groundwater resources have decreased sharply and are depleted in 20 countries, with a population of up to 50% of the world's population.

Ensuring water for agricultural production in Do Luong. Photo: Luong Mai

Vietnam is a country with abundant and rich water resources. However, Vietnam is also predicted to be one of the five countries in the world heavily affected by climate change and rising sea levels. On the other hand, there are currently many activities of developing mining industry, hydropower, urbanization, construction of works encroaching on rivers and streams, people's awareness of protecting water resources is still limited..., which have created risks of pollution, degradation, and depletion of water resources, affecting food production.

Therefore, protecting water resources is extremely important for the present and future of human beings. Protecting water resources and food security is protecting the lives of all of us.

PV: So, in recent times, what actions have we taken to protect water resources, sir?

Comrade Nguyen Duy Nhu:At the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the idea of ​​choosing an international day for water was proposed and the United Nations General Assembly decided to choose March 22 every year as "World Water Day", starting from 1993 to call for the world's attention to issues related to water resources and from here many activities have been organized practically and effectively.

In Nghe An alone, in addition to issuing many documents on water resources such as: Decision No. 96/2005/QD-UBND on Regulations on management, licensing of exploration, exploitation, use of water resources, discharge of wastewater into water sources and practice of underground water drilling in Nghe An province; Decision No. 15/QD-UBND on collection, management and use of fees and charges for appraisal of dossiers for granting licenses for water resource activities in Nghe An province; Directive No. 17/2009/CT-UBND on strengthening state management of water resources in Nghe An province; The province has also implemented projects to investigate water resources in the area and strengthened inspection and examination of compliance with state laws on water resources by organizations and individuals. Every year, organize rallies in response to World Water Day (March 22) across the province, such as organizing parades, mobilizing the community to participate in protecting water resources; launching a movement to not encroach on rivers and lakes; planting forests to protect water sources to avoid erosion that changes the flow and quality of water sources...

PV: According to you, what should be done in the coming time to contribute to protecting water resources to serve production development and life?

Comrade Nguyen Duy Nhu: First of all, the Central Government needs to develop national policies on water allocation for agriculture. In case of needing to ensure water for agricultural production to maintain national food security, there should be timely priority policies for sectors related to agricultural production such as Water Resources and Agriculture. Complete water resources planning at the Central and local levels. Complete institutions and policies on water resources management and enhance capacity for water resources management.

Strengthening communication and dissemination of water resources laws to organizations, individuals and communities to understand the importance of water resources. Regarding the use of water for agricultural production to ensure food security, it is necessary to improve surface water management; improve the efficiency of irrigation services; increase water supply by treating and reusing urban wastewater, using brackish water if possible, especially in arid and semi-arid areas in areas of scarcity and rapidly expanding urban areas. Promoting water harvesting as one of the most potential techniques to promote rainfed agriculture.

On the provincial side, focus on directing the inspection and thorough handling of illegal exploration, exploitation, use of water resources and discharge of wastewater into water sources. Regularly promote inspection and examination before and after licensing organizations and individuals operating in water resources and discharging wastewater into water sources in the province. Conduct investigations and assessments of the current status of exploitation, use of water resources, discharge of wastewater into water sources; develop river basin planning, plans for exploitation, use of water resources, discharge of wastewater into water sources; build a standard database on water resources. Research and propose adaptive management measures to respond to climate change, paying attention to the method of integrated water resource management. Strengthen and apply measures and technologies in the protection, exploitation, use and development of water resources....

Mai Hoa (performed)