Tra Vinh farmers receive assistance to adapt to climate change

According to AMD’s provincial coordination board, nearly VND29 billion of the amount comes in the form of non-refundable aid from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and nearly VND58 billion is sourced by IFAD loans, while the provincial budget pays more than VND21 billion. 

Head of the provincial project management board Huynh Nghia Tho said the project will focus on developing sustainable livelihoods through vocational training and multiplying sustainable agricultural production models in the context of increasing salt intrusion and drought. 

Last year, the AMD disbursed more than VND180 billion for its activities in Tra Vinh. As a result, 15 production models were built with the engagement of 113 households. Some models produced high economic value, such as the farming of shrimp and tilapia in Don Chau Commune, Duyen Hai District which brought more than VND500 million (US$22,000) in profit per hectare. 

The AMD programme in Tra Vinh is being implemented in 30 communes between 2014 and 2020, benefiting around 15,000 poor and near-poor households.     

The total budget is VND521 billion (US$23.1 million), with VND233.5 billion (around US$10.3 million) sourced by loans from IFAD, VND126.5 billion (over US$5.6 million) in IFAD non-refundable grant and VND79.5 billion  (over US$3.5 million) coming from the State budget. Beneficiaries shoulder around VND81.5 billion (US$3.6 million).      

Its main objective is to develop sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor in the face of changing climate and to enhance the target communities’ capacities to adapt to climate change.