Vietnam faces nearly $3 billion in crop losses each year as more seawater seeps into farmland, state media reported on Sunday, citing new research.
Research by the country’s environment ministry shows the damage is likely to be concentrated in the Mekong Delta region, known as “Vietnam’s rice bowl” because it provides food and livelihoods for tens of millions of people.
Saltwater levels are typically higher during the dry season, but are increasing due to rising sea levels, droughts, tidal fluctuations and a lack of fresh water upstream.
According to state media VnExpress, citing the latest research from the Institute of Water Resources Science under the Ministry of Environment, the resulting crop losses may be as high as VND70 trillion (USD2.94 billion).
The study found that the most affected area in the region was the southernmost province of Ca Mau, with potential losses estimated at US$665 million.
Ben Tre province could face losses of about US$472 million, according to a study released at a water resources management conference on Friday.
“Under the current circumstances, fruit trees account for 29% of losses in the Mekong Delta region, crops account for 27%, and rice accounts for nearly 14%,” the survey results show.
“Fishing accounts for 30%, equivalent to more than 21 trillion dong ($840 million),” it added.
Future losses in the region are expected to be even greater, exceeding $3.1 billion, the study said.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Water Resources warned that saltwater intrusion could affect some 80,000 hectares of rice and fruit farms in the Mekong Delta.
According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the region will experience above-average salt intrusion in 2023-2024.
The delta suffered an unusually long heat wave in February, causing drought in several areas and causing low water levels in canals across the region.
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