Nong Boc irrigation system - cools the fields, fosters Vietnam-Russia friendship

The Nong Boc Irrigation System Project in Khammouane Province (Laos), invested by the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province, is about to bring cool water to the fields, contributing to fostering the friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

The Nong Boc Irrigation System Project, which has many meanings in Laos, was assigned by the Vietnamese Government to the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province as the investor.

Nong Boc District, Khammouane Province (Lao PDR) has nearly 1,700 hectares of agricultural land but only produces one crop due to lack of control over irrigation water sources. For generations, the Lao ethnic community living in the area has always been concerned about having water flowing from the Mekong River to "quench the thirst" of the fields, helping to develop production. However, due to limited investment resources and many other difficulties, the Party Committee, government and people here have had to "put aside" their dream.

In 2022, the Vietnamese Government decided to provide non-refundable aid to help the Lao government build the Nong Boc Irrigation System Project with a total investment of nearly 300 billion VND.

The main pipeline of the Nong Boc Irrigation System Project brings water from the Mekong River to irrigate 500 hectares of rice fields.

The project started construction in April 2022 with the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province as the investor, including items such as: pumping stations and transformer stations of level 1 and level 2; a canal system of more than 2 km long and a road running along the canal, a 500m long embankment of the Mekong River...

It is expected that when completed and put into use, the project will help prevent landslides at key works in the Mekong River bank area and serve irrigation and drainage for more than 500 hectares of cultivated land in 4 villages of Song Muong cluster - considered the rice granary of Nong Boc district.

This important irrigation project also contributes to preventing landslides on the Mekong River banks.

Mr. Som Sa At Un Si Da - Deputy Governor of Kham Muon Province, Head of the Steering Committee of the Nong Boc District Irrigation System Project said: “The Nong Boc Irrigation System Project funded by the Vietnamese Government for the Lao Government is a project with a large non-refundable capital source and is of great significance and is being implemented. The project brings many expectations, so during the construction process, we have proactively coordinated closely with the Project Management Board of Ha Tinh to do a good job of management and supervision to ensure the progress, quality and aesthetics of the project. Currently, the project is about to be completed and put into use, helping people in the area benefit from switching from single-crop to double-crop production and intensive farming to increase productivity, creating a breakthrough in production”.

Mr. Hom Luong Vy Day in Xieng Vang village (blue shirt) and local people discuss production plans when cool water flows into the fields.

Currently, the Nong Boc Irrigation System Project has completed about 96% of the work volume and is expected to be handed over and put into use next March. Mr. Hom Luong Vy Day (Xieng Vang village, Nong Boc district) excitedly said: “We have been waiting for this cool water source for generations, so we are eagerly waiting for the day the project comes into operation. Currently, this crop's rice has covered the fields, so when the project comes into operation, it will be able to irrigate the rice in time to form ears and bloom. In particular, in the following crops, the water source will be proactive, ending the drought like before”.

The final equipment is being prepared for assembly.

Recognizing the role and significance of the project, after being assigned by the Government to take on the role of the project owner on the Vietnamese side, Ha Tinh province quickly established the Nong Boc - Ha Tinh Project Management Board to coordinate with the other side to speed up the construction progress. Mr. Nguyen Van Thao - technical officer of Construction Investment Joint Stock Company 36 (the construction unit) said: "After winning the bid for the project, we focused on mobilizing machinery, vehicles, human resources and had a suitable construction plan to implement the project safely, on schedule, and ensure quality. During the construction process, we always received attention, direction, and support from the levels, sectors of both sides and local people. We have completed 96% of the volume and are urgently speeding up the progress of the remaining work to hand over the project in the first quarter of 2024".

Workers are rushing to complete the final stages of the project.

Mr. Thai Phuc Son - Director of Ha Tinh Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The Nong Boc District Irrigation System Project, Kham Muon Province was entrusted by the Government to Ha Tinh as the project owner, with the Department of Foreign Affairs as the standing agency. Over the past time, we have also closely coordinated with departments and branches in the province as well as: the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, departments and branches of Kham Muon Province, Nong Boc District of the neighboring country to focus on implementing the project to ensure quality, progress and promote its significance. The project is about to be completed and put into use, contributing to creating a revolution in the fields of local people and further fostering the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos".

Giang Dung

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/chinh-tri/thuy-loi-nong-boc-mat-dong-ruong-vun-dap-tinh-huu-nghi-viet-lao/262037.htm