National Assembly delegates offer advice on drought and saltwater intrusion response

The issue of drought and saltwater intrusion in key agricultural production areas has been of concern to many National Assembly deputies when discussing solutions to implement socio-economic development tasks for the 2011-2015 term and the coming time.

The National Assembly works in the hall

Discussing in groups this morning (March 24), many National Assembly deputies mentioned the complicated situation of drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands and South Central regions.

Some delegates said that the authorities have not forecasted the natural disaster situation well; there is no systematic plan to prevent drought and salinity, and currently only temporary measures are being taken.

Previously, in the field of natural disaster prevention, the Government's report also pointed out limitations, namely the quality of forecasts, resources and the ability to prevent natural disasters and respond to climate change have not met the requirements. Flooding in some major cities has been slow to be resolved. Drought, saltwater intrusion, coastal and riverine landslides have become complicated and serious, greatly affecting production and people's lives.

Regarding solutions to this problem, delegate Do Van Duong (HCMC delegation) suggested that specialized agencies research solutions to prevent drought and salinity in the Mekong Delta by quickly converting crop structure, switching from rice cultivation to aquaculture or researching rice varieties that can be grown in saline water.

Delegate Truong Trong Nghia (HCMC delegation) proposed restoring forest cover as well as building a number of large dams in regions across the country to store water for use during the dry season.

At the same time, opinions emphasized that the Government must focus on encouraging and developing high-tech agriculture. “High-tech development is an urgent requirement with stronger solutions,” said delegate Le Thanh Hai, Ho Chi Minh City delegation.

This delegate said: “It is difficult to do high-tech industry, but it is not difficult to do high-tech agriculture. Breeding, preservation technology, deep processing, and refined processing are not things we cannot do.”

The proposed solution is to first maximize the scientific team in high-tech agriculture, attracting overseas Vietnamese experts in many advanced countries - considering this a breakthrough spearhead for economic development.

Delegate Do Van Duong said that private enterprises must be the core in participating in investing in high-tech agriculture with production links with farming households. “We must learn and receive technology transfer from Japan and Israel, turning drought-stricken areas into fertile, profitable areas.”

According to Chinhphu.vn