HÀ NỘI — Aquaculture farmers directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics will receive compensation totalling as much as VNĐ60 million (US$2,600) per hectare, according to Decree No 2 issued by the Government last week.

The decree, to take effect from February 25, will regulate compensation forms and levels to help farmers recover production after being affected by natural disasters and epidemics, in accordance with Article 3 of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.    

Việt Nam is an agricultural country with 23 million farmers, more than the total number of farmers in 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership partner countries, according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Đức Phát.

Natural disasters that occurred in the country during the first half of 2016 damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of rice and vegetables, killing tens of thousands of cattle and poultry and incurring financial losses of some VNĐ16.9 billion ($749 million).

Support for agriculture and forestry losses are set at VNĐ30 million ($1,300) per hectare and VNĐ20 million ($881) per hectare respectively, according to the decree.  

For salt production, each hectare of salt field that is damaged by more than 70 per cent will receive support of VNĐ1.5 million ($66); each hectare of salt field that is damaged between 30-70 per cent will get support of VNĐ1 million ($44).

The State will provide farmers with financial aid to purchase chemicals to destroy cattle and poultry that either suffer from disease or are being raised in areas affected by disease.

In-kind supports are also available; however, each household will only benefit from one compensation policy that is most suitable to their conditions.  

Farmers will only receive compensation if their production activities are in accordance with the production plans and instructions of local authorities, and they have implemented all measures to prevent and respond to natural disasters and epidemics under the guidance and direction of specialized agencies and the authorities.

Farmers must have either initial registrations for concentrated breeding and aquaculture that are certified by the communal People’s Committees, or quarantine certificates, to receive the compensation.

Damages will only be approved for compensation if they occurred at the same time as natural disasters, as certified by local steering committees for natural disaster prevention and control, or in the period between the announcement of an epidemic’s start date and end date. — VNS