Proactive irrigation and avoidance of drought and salinity are crucial for protecting the winter-spring rice crop.

Can Tho City is proactively monitoring salinity levels and operating irrigation systems to protect the winter-spring rice crop, facing the risk of drought and saltwater intrusion during the dry season.

Closely monitor salinity levels and operate the sluice gate system flexibly.

In the context of increasingly complex climate change, drought and saltwater intrusion are no longer localized phenomena but have become a constant challenge to agricultural production in the Mekong Delta. For Can Tho City, after the reorganization and expansion of its administrative boundaries, this risk is even more evident, requiring proactive, flexible, and timely irrigation solutions.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tan Nhon, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, the city currently has two vulnerable areas due to saltwater intrusion. Firstly, the area affected by saltwater intrusion from the East Sea via the Hau River; secondly, the area affected by saltwater intrusion from the West Sea via the Cai Lon and Cai Be river systems and interconnected canals and waterways. These are areas frequently subjected to the dual impacts of climate change and extreme weather events during the dry season.

The irrigation canal system in Can Tho City is operated flexibly to control saltwater intrusion and protect freshwater resources for agricultural production during the dry season. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

"Saline intrusion in recent years has significantly affected the daily lives and agricultural production of the people, especially rice production. Therefore, irrigation work has always been a top priority for the city's agricultural sector," Mr. Nhon emphasized.

Facing the risk of drought and saltwater intrusion, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City has intensified its monitoring and tracking of weather patterns and salinity levels on key river routes. In addition to the monitoring stations managed by the agricultural sector, the unit also closely coordinates with the Can Tho City Meteorological and Hydrological Station to regularly update data on water levels and salinity, especially during the peak of the dry season.

"Based on monitoring data, the agricultural sector promptly advises on operating the system of sluices and dams to prevent saltwater intrusion, and at the same time develops a plan to store freshwater, ensuring water resources for agricultural production and people's daily lives," Mr. Nhon said.

Proactive water management not only helps minimize damage from saltwater intrusion but also allows farmers to produce with peace of mind, especially during important rice crops.

Proactive water management not only helps minimize damage from saltwater intrusion but also creates conditions for farmers to confidently produce, especially during important rice crops. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The winter-spring crop is the key rice crop of the year.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tan Nhon, the winter-spring rice crop is the most important production season of the year in Can Tho City. The entire city has over 290,000 hectares planted with rice, providing nearly 2 million tons of rice, accounting for about 40% of the total annual rice production.

However, this rice crop also coincides with the peak of the drought and salinity season, posing many risks if timely countermeasures are not taken. Therefore, from the beginning of October, the agricultural sector issued documents guiding localities to develop appropriate planting schedules, avoiding both pest infestations and drought and salinity.

"We not only guide farmers on planting schedules but also advise them to closely monitor weather forecasts and salinity reports from relevant authorities to proactively draw water at the right time, avoiding future risks," Mr. Nhon said.

For the 2025-2026 winter-spring rice crop, which is currently in the planting stage, the Can Tho City Department of Agriculture is paying special attention to farmers in areas vulnerable to drought and salinity, especially the eastern coastal region and the western region bordering the newly established An Giang province.

Accordingly, localities need to arrange planting so that harvesting is completed by the end of December in areas at high risk of salinity intrusion. This is considered an important solution to avoid the situation where rice flowers and ripens at the same time as saline intrusion, causing damage to yield and quality.

The winter-spring rice crop is the most important production season of the year in Can Tho City, accounting for approximately 40% of the total rice output, and is being actively protected by the agricultural sector against the threat of drought and salinity. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

"Strict adherence to the planting schedule, combined with monitoring salinity levels and operating the irrigation system efficiently, will help protect the rice crop and minimize losses for farmers," Mr. Nhon affirmed.

In the context of unpredictable climate change, irrigation work should not only focus on immediate responses but also be viewed as a long-term solution for sustainable agricultural development. With the proactive efforts of the Can Tho City agricultural sector and the close cooperation of local authorities and the people, measures to mitigate drought and salinity intrusion, and protect rice production, are gradually becoming more in-depth and yielding clear results.

"Only when people work alongside the authorities and proactively adapt can agricultural production withstand the increasing challenges of climate change," Mr. Nguyen Tan Nhon emphasized.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/chu-dong-thuy-loi-ne-han-man-de-bao-ve-vu-lua-dong-xuan-d791586.html