Farmers in Vietnam Face Water Shortages and Salinisation Amid Drought
Published on: March 21, 2024.
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Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, known as the country’s “rice bowl,” is facing a severe drought and salinization due to a month-long heatwave. The lack of rain and rising sea levels have caused saltwater intrusion, negatively impacting crops in an area essential for food production. Farmer Nguyen Hoai Thuong in Ben Tre province has been forced to leave her rice field empty due to the lack of fresh water and has resorted to raising cows instead. Without rain, her family has no access to fresh water and has had to buy some from a neighbor for domestic use. The Mekong Delta experiences saltwater intrusion every year, but climate change-induced factors like hotter weather and higher sea levels are worsening the situation. Experts predict that saltwater intrusion could result in nearly $3 billion in crop losses every year for the delta. The province of Ben Tre has already seen losses of about $472 million annually from 2020 to 2023. Farmers like Phan Thanh Trung have been forced to reduce cultivation due to the high salinity levels, while others like Nguyen Van Hung have been able to monetize their abundant fresh water resources by selling it to their neighbors. This situation highlights the severe impact that adverse weather patterns have on the region.
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