According to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters in Phu An commune - one of the largest durian growing areas in Cai Lay district (Tien Giang province) - local people said they had experience in coping with the historic drought and salinity in the 2019-2020 dry season. Upon hearing the forecast from the authorities, farmers proactively stored fresh water for irrigation and production when drought and salinity occurred.
Mr. Pham Ngoc Dien (Hamlet 3, Phu An Commune, Cai Lay District, Tien Giang Province) said that his family owns 8,000m2 of durian, which is currently in harvest time. Before the authorities' forecast of possible drought and salinity after the Lunar New Year 2025, his family has stored fresh water in the field ditches for irrigation. In addition, he also covered the ground with a layer of grass and leaves to limit water evaporation, preventing the soil from drying out and cracking.
“The sewer system in this area has been sealed. If saltwater intrudes, the sewers will be closed for protection. Inside, people have stored fresh water to irrigate fruit trees. If the drought and salinity persist, it will not greatly affect the fruit growing areas of the people,” said Mr. Dien.
Mr. Le Van Phuoc Lac - Director of Phu An Agricultural Service Cooperative - said that the cooperative has about 325 hectares of durian. According to Mr. Lac, farmers here have experience in coping with drought and salinity. Therefore, when receiving notice from local authorities, farmers have proactively stored fresh water in ditches, canals, lakes... to water plants when drought and salinity occur. In addition, this area also has a sewer system or dams to prevent saltwater intrusion, so people are very secure.
Mr. Vo Chi Sac - Chairman of Phu An Commune People's Committee (Cai Lay District, Tien Giang Province) - said that based on the forecast of the professional agency on drought and salinity in 2024-2025, Phu An Commune may be affected by salinity intrusion along the Tien River. Phu An Commune People's Committee has issued a plan to prevent and combat drought and salinity to protect production and ensure domestic water supply in the dry season of 2024-2025. The locality has dredged canals and built dams to protect the fruit growing area of more than 1,300 hectares, including nearly 870 hectares of durian growing area.
“As of the afternoon of February 4, salinity has not appeared. However, in order not to be subjective, the People's Committee of Phu An commune has assigned civil servants in charge of agriculture to regularly monitor and check salinity levels to promptly inform people, helping them proactively collect and store water to irrigate crops,” Mr. Sac informed.
According to Mr. Sac, Phu An commune has a large fruit growing area, of which the durian growing area accounts for more than 50% of the total fruit growing area. Durian is a tree that brings high economic value, helping local farmers escape poverty and have a comfortable life. Therefore, the local government is very interested in preventing and combating drought and salinity. Currently, farmers have stored fresh water to cope with the drought and salinity in 2024-2025.
According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, the rapid decrease in flow to the delta has caused salinity to appear early in the river mouths. In January 2025, salinity has penetrated deep into the river mouths and will peak in the period from February 2025 to April 2025. In the forecast week from January 31, 2025 to February 6, 2025, salinity will continue to increase until February 1, 2025 in the river mouths and remain high in the first days of the new year until February 3 and then gradually decrease until the end of the forecast week, 37 - 43 km from the sea.
The Southern Institute of Water Resources Research recommends that localities need to properly operate salinity control works, limit water drainage and use water economically, closely monitor water quality, and take advantage of water on weekends when possible to ensure water for production.
