The city of Hải Phòng Province currently hosts five irrigation systems, constrained by five river routes that are downstream of the Red River and the Thái Bình River flowing through the region. Photo nongnghiep.vn

Hải Phòng Province - Drawing water for irrigation systems in Hải Phòng Province is becoming increasingly challenging due to various factors impacting agricultural production and essential services.

The city of Hải Phòng Province currently hosts five irrigation systems, constrained by five river routes that are downstream of the Red River and the Thái Bình River flowing through the region. These systems collectively serve to supply water to approximately 100,000 hectares of agricultural land and manage drainage for about 50,000 hectares in concentrated residential areas and industrial zones.

Hải Phòng Province faces the predicament of water scarcity in these systems, leading to a shift in irrigation methods and an increase in production costs. Previously, 50 per cent of the irrigated area relied on the natural flow of water, capitalising on the tidal movement to directly source water for agricultural production. However, this percentage has risen to 70 per cent, and the transition to mechanised irrigation has escalated production expenses by 30-50 per cent.

The primary cause of this situation, as indicated by the Department of Irrigation and Disaster Prevention in Hải Phòng, is the intrusion of saline water deep into river mouth areas and the discharge of pollutants from residential areas and craft villages, resulting in water pollution.

To address these challenges, Hải Phòng Province has recently directed various departments and localities to implement a comprehensive range of solutions. This includes initiatives related to water extraction, water retention, water source protection, and changes in water usage habits.

Regarding water extraction, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Hải Phòng Province has instructed irrigation companies to maximise extraction time, encourage and support agricultural water companies in applying advanced scientific technologies. Additionally, investments have been made in acquiring salinity measurement equipment, implementing remote-controlled technology in irrigation facilities, and automating control systems to optimise water extraction times.

To protect water sources, nearly 100 per cent of production and service businesses in Hải Phòng Province have established water treatment systems that meet standards before releasing effluents into irrigation systems. Larger industrial complexes with water discharges exceeding 1,000 cubic meters per day have also implemented automatic monitoring systems, directly supervised around the clock by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

For the third group, involving water discharge from agricultural production, the agricultural sector has implemented measures such as promoting the use of safer plant protection chemicals, advocating for the collection of pesticide packaging for proper disposal, and strategically directing water discharges from agricultural production away from water sources.

In summary, Hải Phòng Province is actively pursuing a multi-faceted approach to counteract water-related challenges in irrigation systems. The focus is on technological advancements, efficient water management, and comprehensive water treatment initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance water quality, ensuring it meets the standards for domestic use and agricultural production, ultimately contributing to the improvement of living standards and public health. VNS