Water quality & quantity
The current agricultural water management system in the Mekong Delta is mainly based on flood irrigation through a continuous flow from the Mekong River and its branches and natural rainfall in the wet season. It needs to be revised to limit further droughts in and soil salinisation of the delta.
The quality of water, which is linked to food safety, needs to be studied too. Improved water and soil management strategies should focus on:
- increasing water productivity to maintain sufficient discharge to downstream regions to halt the saline intrusion through irrigation modernisation
- freshwater storage as a buffer in the dry season
- basic water treatment options to make brackish/saline water suitable for livestock
- screen for chemical and microbiological hazards and take preventive measures
Furthermore, organic soil’s carbon content should be increased to improve water retention and reduce the impact of salinity on crops.
Video coming soon