River water is salty, well water is contaminated with alum
La Huong vegetable garden currently has an area of about 7 hectares with more than 50 households cultivating it. This is the largest clean vegetable garden in Da Nang City, mainly providing clean vegetables to markets and supermarkets in Da Nang City.
However, according to local people, over the past 3 years, salinity of Cam Le river water has appeared early and the salinity has increased, making it impossible for people to farm.
Since Tet until now, Ms. Le Thi Nghiem has planted more than 3 crops of amaranth but in reality, none of the crops has been harvested. Amaranth grows to about 10cm, then the leaves wilt and die.
“Since the beginning of the year until now, I have bought more than 200,000 coins of amaranth seeds but have not recovered a single coin. If you sow it, you will die," said Ms. Le Thi Nghiem.
Farming households at the end of La Huong vegetable garden have also been leaving their land vacant for many months.
Mr. Phan Huu Ho (residing in Hoa Tho Dong ward, Cam Le district) said: "The hot sun causes the Cam Le river to become saline for a long time, and the well is also contaminated with alum, causing a serious shortage of irrigation water in the vegetable village. Watering with alum causes plants to wither and not grow, so farmers have no choice but to stop farming during this time."
Support nets and tarpaulins for people
Mr. Tran Van Hoang (Director of La Huong Vegetable Cooperative) said that 3 or 4 years ago, saline intrusion appeared so much that farmers in La Huong vegetable garden could not cultivate.
In particular, salinity in La Huong vegetable garden appears earlier than usual.
“The cooperative has also proposed to support people with funds to buy nets and tarpaulins to shield and limit heat for growing vegetables. As for salinity, when there is a lot of rain, households will do it, but when it is too sunny, they will stop production, but there is still no best plan," said Tran Van Hoang, Director of La Huong Vegetable Cooperative.
Last April, the People's Committee of Da Nang city issued an official dispatch requesting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to direct the Department of Water Resources Management to pay attention and coordinate with departments and branches of Da Nang city as in the past. in closely monitoring and urging hydroelectric reservoirs in the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin.
From then on, it will operate in accordance with the 1865 Process to ensure sufficient water supply for daily life, tourism, services, production and other purposes in the downstream area of the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river basin until the end of this year's dry season.
For hydroelectric plants in the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin, in case of discharging water to generate electricity with a flow lower than prescribed in Process 1865 to ensure electrical energy security requirements, it is still must ensure discharge with sufficient flow to maintain the water level at the An Trach weir area at no less than 1.6 m, ensuring safe water supply for Da Nang city.
