Drought is forecast to last for the next few months, causing certain difficulties for agricultural production.

Sectors, localities and farmers have in recent times implemented many solutions to ensure sufficient water supplies for sowing the winter-spring rice crop.

The power sector has discharged water from the Hoa Binh reservoirs into the Red River to facilitate water-pumping stations’ operations for drought prevention.

The prolonged drought is due to water shortages while many ponds and lakes have not been dredged, thus failing to prevent water from running to the sea.

Previously, dyke reinforcement and canal dredge work was implemented by local people. However, there is no denying that despite its limited budget, the State has still allocated a large amount of money to build canals and irrigation projects to serve agricultural production. When canal systems are sufficiently built, local administrations and farmers should engage in dredging work to facilitate irrigation projects. Local Party committees and administrations must be responsible for the issue and consider it an urgent task, which requires the participation of all people for success.

For the long-term, in highland areas, it is essential to plant suitable trees that do not need much water in order to ensure income for farmers. Unless this is implemented, reservoirs will have to continue discharging water to cope with droughts, thus causing electricity shortages during dry seasons. Apart from dealing with droughts, it is necessary to calculate the common economic efficiency of the whole country. Hence, appropriate measures are needed to ensure enough water supplies, while avoiding power shortage. If power shortages occur in the dry season, power plants have to use oil to generate energy, resulting in a high price for electricity. Accordingly, the Government has to provide subsidies for the electricity sector. In such a context, people should save every drop of water.

Vietnamese people have a tradition of developing irrigation networks. If local authorities fail to mobilise the participation of local people, it is impossible to resolve issues relating to water shortages for agricultural production activities. Canal dredging work is now an urgent task that needs people’s efforts and contributions, as well as assistance from the Government. Farmers should response to measures taken by local authorities to cope with droughts and other natural disasters.