Core value of agriculture development

The irrigation system is near completion

According to Nguyen Dinh Xuan, Director of Tay Ninh's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province's irrigation infrastructure is not inferior to other provinces across the country.

The irrigation system in Tay Ninh is reported to have ample diverse water resources that can cater to the needs of the locals for several years. According to Xuan, the irrigation system is powered by nature, eliminating the need for electricity or fuel to pump water into the fields. This results in a cost-effective and convenient solution for farmers. According to the thinking that water takes precedence and Tay Ninh holds distinct advantages in this aspect.

According to recent data from the Tay Ninh Irrigation Sub-Department, the province boasts an impressive 1,742 irrigation canals within its irrigation systems. These canals span a total length of over 1,600 km. The canal route has achieved a solidification rate of almost 72%, a notably high figure in comparison to the southern provinces.

The agricultural industry in Tay Ninh boasts a unique advantage that is seldom found elsewhere - a highly coordinated irrigation system. This system is underpinned by the Dau Tieng - Phuoc Hoa reservoir, which is the largest of its kind in the country. With the capacity to irrigate up to 47,000 hectares of arable land, this reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting the region's agricultural output.

The irrigation infrastructure has been undergoing a modern and flexible transformation, providing a constant supply of water for the people and various economic sectors. This development has contributed to enhancing the quality of life for the residents and ensuring water and food security for the province and the country. The changes in production practices and crop structure have resulted in an increase in the land use coefficient and the formation of production areas that focus on cultivating high-value crops. Additionally, the initiative to secure water sources for irrigation and drainage has helped mitigate natural disasters such as droughts and floods.

Tay Ninh has implemented an irrigation system that has led to the development of a smart agricultural value chain infrastructure to cope with climate change. This has resulted in the creation of large-scale, high-tech agricultural concentrated production areas and conversion zones that cultivate high economic value crops. These areas span over 8,300 hectares in Suoi Da and Phan communes of Duong Minh Chau district.

A major irrigation project in the western region of the Vam Co Dong River is set to provide water to over 16,900 ha of agricultural land, as well as supply water for industrial production, daily life, and livestock to residents of Chau Thanh and Ben Cau districts.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuan, the total area of crop conversion in the province between 2017 and 2022 has exceeded 40,000 ha. The conversion has primarily been from inefficient crops such as rice, rubber, and sugarcane to high-valued fruit trees like longan, durian, pomelo, and jackfruit. Additionally, there has been a shift towards growing annual crops like corn and various vegetables. This change is expected to increase the average value of products obtained on arable land to VND 106 million/ha by 2022, a 12.9% increase from 2017.

Irrigation helps Tay Ninh create breakthroughs

In recent years, Tay Ninh has emerged as a focal point for attracting investment in the field of agriculture. In recent years, a province that previously had no products available for export has seen a significant increase in export turnover, reaching billions of USD. The province, which was once home to just a few of small local enterprises, has now seen a significant increase in its business landscape, with a total of 5,300 enterprises. 

Tay Ninh is currently focusing on attracting investment and businesses to the area by implementing attractive investment policies. The key to agricultural development in the region is the irrigation system, which is being prioritized to ensure success. This strategy is aimed at achieving a breakthrough in investment and economic growth for Tay Ninh.

In the first quarter of 2023, the first phase of the irrigation project located in the western region of Vam Co Dong River has been officially launched.

In late March 2023, a delegation from the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, headed by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, conducted a site visit to the irrigation project located in the western region of Vam Co Dong river.

The agricultural environment of Ben Cau district has undergone a significant transformation following the implementation of an irrigation system, particularly the irrigation project located in the western region of Vam Co Dong River.

In the Ben Cau area, a district previously known for its monoculture of wet rice, there has been a significant shift in agricultural practices. Thousands of cornfields and cows now populate the region, marking a notable departure from the area's traditional farming methods. The cultivation of biomass corn has gained popularity in the region due to its ease of growth, high profitability, and its use as a primary source of livestock feed. As a result, farmers in the area are feeling confident in expanding their farming operations.

Vinamilk's dairy farm, spanning across a vast area of 663.5 hectares, is also located in the vicinity. Vinamilk's farm, which is a part of their largest GlobalGAP farm system in Asia, has become a trailblazer in the implementation of comprehensive 4.0 technology in dairy farming and farm management. With a milk output of 34 million kg, the dairy industry is generating nearly VND 500 billion/year in milk sales.

The irrigation canal located to the west of Vam Co Dong River has successfully resolved the issue of irrigation water for businesses and residents in the project area during the peak of the dry season.

Vinamilk is gearing up to invest in the construction of a second complex of dairy factories and farms, citing the benefits it offers in terms of irrigation. The milk factories complex is set to have a milk processing capacity of 100 tons per day. Vinamilk Tay Ninh farm is set to expand its supply of raw fresh milk as part of a project aimed at meeting market demand for milk products. The project's objective is to produce and process these products to ensure they meet the needs of consumers. According to sources, the project will be finalized and ready for operation in 2025.