According to a report by UNDP, the establishment of ponds in various provinces of Vietnam including Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan, serves as an integral component of a larger project aimed at enhancing the ability of small-scale agricultural production to withstand water-related challenges caused by climate change. This initiative specifically addresses the regions of the Central Highlands and southern parts of central Vietnam.
The objective of this project is to construct and improve 260 ponds that are resilient to climate change, in addition to supporting the implementation of more than 2,300 water-efficient irrigation systems. Moreover, it aims to provide training to approximately 6,000 families on agricultural practices for adapting to climate change.
In Dak Lak's Krong Pac and Ea Kar districts, a significant project has successfully constructed 70 ponds, boasting an impressive combined capacity of over 60,000 m3. These meticulously built ponds are strategically designed to cater to an expansive irrigation area spanning over 52 hectares.
According to a statement by the UNDP, it is anticipated that the ponds will assist in fulfilling the water requirements for farming during the driest months of the year. In Dak Lak, there is an expectation of water scarcity in various regions from December to March of the upcoming year, with surface water sources projected to only meet 40% of the overall water demand.
According to Nguyen Hoai Duong, the director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the project is extremely beneficial. This is particularly significant due to the increasing water shortages in the province, despite the authorities' continuous efforts to address this issue through the construction and enhancement of irrigation projects.
According to statistics gathered from the Dak Lak agricultural field, by the conclusion of March, more than 1,300 hectares of rice and other crops were experiencing water shortages. Additionally, in subsequent periods, approximately 160,000 hectares of coffee, durians, peppers, macadamias, and various fruit trees were also in need of sufficient water supply.
