Over US$6.5 billion planned for Central Highlands development
The Government has planned to invest more than VND14.69 trillion (over US$6.59 billion) in the Central Highlands in 2016-2020, mostly in building and upgrading irrigation and water supply facilities for drought prevention and control, and transportation system.
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According to the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands Region, the investment includes VND9.88 trillion mobilised through Government bonds, and over VND4.15 trillion of official development assistance (ODA).
In 2016, total capital poured into development projects managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the region is about VND1.1 trillion, VND237 billion of which is from ODA.
Regional localities have been asked to continue reviewing and adjusting their socio-economic master plans, in particular plans on land use, irrigation, agriculture production, and water supply, to effectively cope with fiercer climate change and drought.
Under a master plan for the region until 2020 with a vision to 2030, the Central Highlands localities will upgrade and build 2,168 irrigation works, increasing the farming area being watered in dry season to 539,770 hectares.
According to the committee, the Central Highlands currently has more than 2,350 irrigation works, including 1,013 reservoirs, 966 dykes, and more than 5,000km of canals. They are supplying water to 241,000 hectares of farming land, meeting 65% of the region’s total water demand.
Local roads have also been broadened to ensure smooth traffic in all communes in both dry and rainy seasons.
