Advanced water-saving irrigation methods have been applied to around 144,800 hectares of dryland crops nationwide, according to the Directorate of Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

A water-saving irrigation method. (Source: Israel21c.org)

Of the acreage, 58,400 hectares are in the Southeastern region, while the Central Highlands has 35,700 hectares, the central region - 18,500 hectares, the Mekong Delta region - 19,500 hectares and the northern midland and mountainous region - 14,200 hectares.

According to Nguyen Van Tinh, General Director of the Directorate of Water Resources, the application of the technology will be expanded, especially in the cultivation of important cash crops like coffee, pepper, cashew and sugarcane.

The MARD will issue mechanisms and policies to develop and promote modern agricultural production models using water-saving irrigation technology in provinces with little rain such as Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Lam Dong, Son La, Dong Nai, Binh Thuan, Gia Lai and Binh Phuoc.

The ministry will also review and adjust irrigation planning for dryland agriculture.

According to the goal of the MARD’s project on improving the effectiveness of using and managing irrigation works until 2020, the country will have 500,000 hectares of dryland crops being irrigated by advanced methods, mainly in the Central Highlands, Southeast, and South Central regions.

The MARD has submitted to the government a draft decree on mechanisms and policies encouraging the development of advanced and water-saving irrigation technology for dryland crops.

(Source: VNA)