The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's biggest rice producing region, has set a target to grow 3.8 million hectares of rice, expecting an output of 19.4 million tonnes in 2006, an increase of 300,000 tonnes compared to 2005. As of the 2005-2006 winter-spring crop, the main crop of the region, the provinces in the region have focused on applying technical advances and using mechanical equipment in production in order to produce more than 8.8 million tonnes of rice on over 1.4 million hectares. The Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has suggested that localities boost intensive cultivation to increase rice productivity and quality, ensuring rice volume for domestic consumption and export. The region is expected to overcome disadvantages caused by natural calamities and pests during this time's early winter-spring crop with a view to obtaining the set targets. (CPV/VNA) … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta targets 19.4 million tonnes of rice in 2006
Mekong delta vietnam
Successful prevention dengue for Mekong Delta residents
(CPV)- The Australian Aid Program, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and Pacific (AFAP) today April 22 announce the successful completion of a Dengue Safe Water Project in the Mekong Delta. 'Vietnam experiences more than 75,000 cases of dengue a year, most of these occurring in the south of the country. With no vaccine available, mosquito control is the only option currently available to prevent the spread of this viral disease", said Mr Simon Kutcher, AFAP Project Manager. "Conventional insecticide use is considered by many to be unsuitable or unacceptable in many circumstances, so more innovative approaches are required to tackle this severe annual epidemic". The 85 billion VND Australian Government funded Dengue Safe Water Project is one such approach that has had outstanding success in reducing the risk of dengue fever. Starting in 2005, the five-year project aims to ensure that water is not used as a breeding ground by … [Read more...] about Successful prevention dengue for Mekong Delta residents
Mekong Delta importing rice as usual?
Head of the Cultivation Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Tri Ngoc spoke about the inundation of Cambodian rice in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's rice granary. What do you think about the absurdity in the Mekong Delta, where Cambodian rice is flooding the market? It is normal, like Vietnamese rice also overflows into Thailand. This is the nature of the market mechanism. Traders are buying low-quality rice of Vietnam to sell to Thailand at higher prices. Similarly, when rice prices in the Mekong Delta are higher, Cambodian rice overflows in. It seems problematic that paddy prices fell to VND2,500/kg but farmers couldn't sell their rice, meanwhile Cambodian rice is imported into the market. What is your opinion about this? That is a different matter. Vietnamese farmers have been pursuing rice productivity and are not interested in high-quality rice. Meanwhile, Thailand and Cambodia have one rice crop per year and they only grow long-term paddy varieties … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta importing rice as usual?
Climate change poses grave threat to Mekong Delta
Local and international scientists are calling for drastic measures to tackle the visible threats of climate change on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's biggest rice granary, which feeds millions of Vietnamese. About 2.4 million out of four million hectares of land in the southern Mekong Delta Region are for rice cultivation, contributing 80 percent of Vietnam's six millions tons of rice export this year. The delta is also home to 22 percent of the national population. It produces half the nation's rice output of about 49 million tons a year, 60 percent of seafood, and 80 percent of fruit crops. But a grim outlook is in store since its listing among the low-lying river regions worldwide to be vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature said in a recent report released at the first Mekong Delta Climate Change Forum held in Can Tho City last week, that the region would be the area hardest hit by climate change in Vietnam. The lives of more than … [Read more...] about Climate change poses grave threat to Mekong Delta
Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta Vietnam
Lazing on a small sampan, tourists can feel they are so tiny on the boundless river and under the shade of countless trees. Witnessing the trade on the floating markets surely makes an impression on those in the delta for the first time. Upon reaching the raft village, tourists are introduced to the structure of the rafts which are designed as homes and as floating fish farms. Tourists can catch a view of farmers feeding fish and can be served indigenous dishes made from local fish. Tourists should not miss a visit to a weaving village of the Cham people. Here, tourists can witness the dexterity and talents of Cham ladies who painstakingly weave on looms by the riverside. On the way back, tourists should not miss the floating restaurants to enjoy specialties of the Mekong Delta in tide-water season. Floating on the immense rivers and taking a look at the lifestyle in the delta are unforgettable experiences. Thanh Tu … [Read more...] about Exploring water lifestyle of Mekong Delta Vietnam