Building the Irrigation sector to respond to climate change
(Baonghean.vn) Although only established for 5 years, the Nghe An Irrigation Association has many practical and effective activities, contributing significantly to the construction and development of the Nghe An Irrigation sector in particular and the whole country in general. Reporter of Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Tran Huu Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chairman of the Irrigation Association to clarify this issue.
(Baonghean.vn) Although only established for 5 years, the Nghe An Irrigation Association has many practical and effective activities, contributing significantly to the construction and development of the Nghe An Irrigation sector in particular and the whole country in general. Reporter of Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Tran Huu Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chairman of the Irrigation Association to clarify this issue.
PV: Could you please tell us about the outstanding results the Association has achieved in the past 5 years?
Comrade Tran Huu Luc: Nghe An Irrigation Association was newly established in May 2006, and has been operating for more than 5 years. Indeed, compared to many other associations in the area, the Irrigation Association is still very young and does not have a model, so the operation process has encountered many difficulties. However, with its efforts, the Association has organized many good activities, which have been highly appreciated by all levels and sectors, and is listed as a strong association.
The spillway of Vuc Mau reservoir has just been renovated and upgraded.
The Association has achieved many achievements, but the most outstanding is that the Association has soon gathered people working in irrigation (including incumbent and retired) to advise on the development of irrigation planning and strategies in the area; participate in the development of policies and strategies on promoting irrigation development, consulting services, project establishment, design survey, appraisal, criticism, quality supervision; inspect the safety of irrigation works, dykes, water supply and drainage, anti-pollution and environmental protection.
Specifically, the Association has worked with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to advise the Provincial People's Committee to promote the investment process in the construction of a number of large, key projects such as: Ban Mong Reservoir Project, Nam Dan Sluice Project; projects to upgrade reservoirs in Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong; pumping station systems, sea dykes and launch many important projects to cope with climate change and rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion such as: Proposal to build Ben Thuy sluice to prevent saltwater intrusion, Mo River sluice to prevent saltwater intrusion and the project to repair and upgrade the Northern Nghe An irrigation system with capital from the Japanese organization Zica to improve the capacity to cope with droughts, floods, and minimize damage caused by natural disasters.
In addition, the Association also participated in establishing the operating procedures for regulating the Vuc Mau reservoir and the Song Sao reservoir, which were approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, meeting the policy of ensuring reservoir safety. In particular, the Association has well organized the activities of criticizing policy mechanisms, social criticism and projects such as: Criticizing Decree 154 on exemption of irrigation fees not only for rice farmers in areas with irrigation systems invested and managed by the State but also for subjects in all irrigation projects, bringing fairness to people enjoying the State's major policies; criticizing the proposal to add the auxiliary dam, isolation canal, and drainage canal to protect Chau Binh commune of the Ban Mong Reservoir Project. As a result, 600 households were kept from relocation, 3.2 km of National Highway 48 was protected from flooding, benefiting the State by nearly 60 billion VND. This is also a creative scientific work that was awarded a special prize by the Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations and a third prize by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations in 2011.
In recognition of these outstanding contributions, over the past 5 years, the Association has been honored to receive certificates of merit from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the industry, the Central and the Provincial People's Committee.
PV: Sir, what factors have contributed to the Association's active and effective activities, bringing about such outstanding achievements?
Comrade Tran Huu Luc: To achieve the above results, the Association has made great efforts, including the comrades in the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee who are very dedicated, responsible and creative in their activities. From there, the Association has gathered the intelligence of each member, taken advantage of the leadership of all levels and sectors to build a program and action plan that is accurate and practical.
For example, to overcome financial difficulties and create sustainable development, the Association has proposed to establish a center for consulting on the application of science, technology and irrigation technology to ensure sufficient capacity and legal status to receive and implement quality projects and economic contracts. Thanks to the center, the team of scientific staff, especially retired staff with experience, knowledge and health, can contribute to the industry and the Association has additional income to promptly serve its activities, without having to struggle to ask for funding like some other associations.
PV: It is known that tomorrow the Association will hold its Congress, so what will the Association do this term to help the industry respond to climate change?
Comrade Tran Huu Luc: In preparation for the term congress, the Executive Committee of the Association also discussed and agreed on the tasks for the next term of the Association focusing on improving the quality and efficiency of operations. Continue to best advise the Party Committee, government and industry to deploy measures and policies, effectively implement irrigation programs and projects, promptly respond to climate change, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion and increasing droughts, storms and floods.
At the same time, do a good job of criticizing some important construction items such as the Ban Mong reservoir project. On that basis, contribute to the industry to improve the quality and efficiency of irrigation work, meet the requirements of agricultural production in the direction of industrialization and modernization, ensure social security in the area, limit damage caused by natural disasters, droughts, storms, floods, and rising sea levels.
PV: Thank you, comrade!
Hai Yen (Implemented)
