Shrimp farmers in Kien Giang rice fields do many things to prevent saltwater intrusion.

Shrimp and crab farmers in An Minh and An Bien districts ( Kien Giang ) are now proactively preventing saltwater intrusion by reinforcing embankments and regularly measuring salinity in canals and rivers in the fields before pumping water into the fields.

Kien Giang has recently proactively dredged internal canals to ensure water circulation and prevent drought and salinity - Photo: CHI CONG

On the afternoon of February 3, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Ton Van Tuong - a shrimp farmer in Thuan Hoa commune (An Minh district) - said that his family currently raises 2 shrimp and crab farms with an area of ​​about 10 hectares. The family's shrimp are growing well.

However, over the past two days, he measured the salinity in the canal and it fluctuated between 28-30‰. This salinity concentration has decreased compared to Tet but is still high.

"The Xeo Nhau sluice is not yet closed, so saltwater still penetrates deep into the canals. To prevent saltwater intrusion, I proactively reinforced the embankment. The water level in my shrimp farming field is currently about 40cm; the ditch is about 1m deep.

"In my experience, when the monsoon winds blow, the saltiness increases. Therefore, in February 2025, there will be no monsoon winds blowing, so I am not worried about the saltiness being affected," Mr. Tuong added.

The Kien Giang Province Hydrometeorological Station said that the forecast for saltwater intrusion in Kien Giang (February 1-10) at Xeo Ro station (Cai Lon river) is about 15‰, down 3.9‰ compared to last week; Go Quao station (Cai Lon river) is about 5‰, down 0.3‰ compared to last week; An Ninh station (Cai Be river) is about 10‰, down 5.3‰ compared to last week.

Kien Giang people measure salinity before raising shrimp in rice fields - Photo: CHI CONG

Cai Lon River with salinity of 4‰ penetrates about 13km deep to the end of Binh An commune (Chau Thanh district); Cai Be River with salinity of 4‰ penetrates about 35-38km deep to Go Quao town area.

The salinity then tends to increase with two high tides on February 8-10 and February 24-27. Warning of risks due to natural disasters of salinity intrusion at level I. At the same time, salinity concentration of 4‰ can affect crops, local people need to proactively measure salinity before using water for irrigation.

Previously, the People's Committee of Kien Giang province had a plan to prevent drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion, ensuring water sources for agricultural production and people's lives in the 2024-2025 dry season in the province.

The province requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant units to coordinate with the Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited to flexibly operate the Cai Lon - Cai Be sluice system, the sluice system in Rach Gia city, and the Vam Ba Lich boat lock sluice (Chau Thanh district) to control salinity.

In addition, the People's Committees of districts and cities have deployed dredging of canals and rivers and built earth dams to limit saltwater intrusion, ensuring agricultural production for people.

People raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields are very afraid of sudden saltwater intrusion, which will affect production - Photo: CHI CONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dan-nuoi-tom-tren-ruong-lua-kien-giang-lam-nhieu-cach-de-phong-tranh-xam-nhap-man-20250203164814501.htm