Economical irrigation, solution for sustainable agricultural development in dry areas

Ninh Thuan is one of the leading central province localities in the application of economical irrigation technology. Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper interviewed Mr. Dang Kim Cuong, Director of Ninh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on the matter.

When irrigation water is often lacking, an economical irrigation solution is one of the effective measures. Could you please inform us on the the implementation status of economical irrigation in Ninh Thuan province?

In Ninh Thuan province, we have an annual planting area of ​​about 84,000 hectares, of which food crops (rice, maize) account for the majority of the area, about 55,000 hectares; sugarcane 2,500 ha, cassava 4,000 ha, industrial crops 4,728 ha and vegetables of all kinds. In addition, the area of ​​perennial crops is about 12,628 hectares, of which grapes are 1,209 hectares, apples 996 hectares, and other fruit trees  3,685 hectares.

As you know, Ninh Thuan has a all year round hot and dry climate, a very short rain season , so it is often dry, causing difficulties for local agricultural production. However, the dry climate also creates suitable conditions for the development of specific agricultural products such as: Grapes, Apples, Onions, Garlic, Green Asparagus, Aloe Vera, Cartilaginous algae, aquatic seed production, breeding crops and raising goats, sheep.

In the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress of Ninh Thuan province orienting agricultural production, which is to accelerate the restructuring of the agricultural sector in the direction of commodity production, and to increase scientific and technological application to improve product quality, value added products, develop sustainably, effectively respond to climate change.

With the state of regular water scarcity, drought, and lack of water for irrigation, so economical irrigation has been implemented by our agriculture sector for many years, with many supporting policies to help farmers.

The application of advanced irrigation technology to save water for crops over the past time have had many positive changes. By the end of 2020, the crop area implementing economical irrigation in Ninh Thuan province is 1,523 hectares. In which, annual plants 271.4 ha; fruit trees of all kinds 575 ha (Grape 204 ha; Apple, Dragon fruit, Banana, Custard apple and other fruit trees 371 ha); vegetables and beans of all kinds 677 ha (Asparagus 80 ha, other vegetables 597 ha).

In addition, with rice, we have implemented the application of technological advances "1 correct, 5 reduction", applying the method of using graduated pipes (alternating wet-drying irrigation) implemented since 2010, with an annual area of about 10,000 - 12,000 ha.

What are the benefits of economical irrigation?

The implementation of advanced irrigation technology, saving water for plants in our locality has brought excellent results. In my opinion, the economical irrigation solution is an effective, breakthrough solution for arid areas, lacking water sources and in high-tech agricultural production such as Ninh Thuan province in order to increase the value chain of agricultural products, improving lives of the people.

Through practice, we also found that the economical irrigation method has greatly reduced the amount of irrigation water compared to traditional overflow irrigation. It helps reduce the pressure of groundwater exploitation and save water for the long dry season. Facilitating ecosystem restoration in drought- and erosion-prone lands at risk of desertification.

Economical irrigation technology in Ninh Thuan is applied on both flat and uneven ground, depending on the type of crop, people apply appropriate irrigation technology to bring high efficiency.

Through practice, application of economical irrigation for crops in Ninh Thuan has reduced by 20-40% of irrigation water, reduced labor by 30%, saved 30% of electricity and fertilizers, increased income for producers from 10-15%.

Could you tell us which advanced and economical irrigation technology applied in Ninh Thuan brings the highest efficiency and can be widely applied?

In my opinion, depending on the crop, the choice of applying advanced, economical irrigation technology is different. Currently, advanced irrigation technology, economical drip is applied to long-term crops such as grapes, apples, fruit trees; Low-level sprinkler and spray irrigation technology for vegetables, beans, livestock grass, etc.

In our locality, the current drip irrigation technology is not as popular as low-range sprinkler or spray (MINISET) irrigation technology. Because, the limitation of drip irrigation system is that it is necessary to use specialized fertilizers to increase efficiency, but currently this fertilizer is not popular and the price is very high. Therefore, most farmers use less drip irrigation technology than sprinkler irrigation technology.

For low-range and jet sprinkler irrigation technology, currently being widely used by Ninh Thuan farmers in many communes throughout the province. This technology is very suitable for root, dense crops such as onions, garlic, radishes, carrots and other vegetables. As a result, the sprinkler irrigation system is always chosen and replicated by farmers over the drip irrigation technology.

On the other hand, using low-level sprinkler and spraying irrigation, combined with a evaporative pan (mini-pan) helps to calculate the amount of water needed for each crop in different climatic and soil conditions bringing practical effects in our agricultural production in Ninh Thuan. Therefore, this model is widely used and replicated by people, with lower investment costs and easier to apply.

With the benefits brought from economical irrigation, how is Ninh Thuan's agricultural sector oriented in the future and what policies are there to support the people?

Over the past time, we have coordinated with relevant units and local authorities in the province to closely monitor the weather and water sources at irrigation works to promptly develop plans,  management and regulation solutions to use water sources reasonably to minimize losses in production and stabilize people's lives.

At the same time, promote the application of high technology, replicating the application models of advanced irrigation technology, water-saving irrigation for crops to ensure goals and orientation for agricultural development in face of climate change in Ninh Thuan province.

Our agriculture sector has promptly and effectively implemented many decisions of the Provincial People's Committee on policies and support for production development such as: Policy on replicating effective production models associated with the National Target Program for new rural construction; Policy to support agricultural and rural development for the period of 2017-2020 in the province; Specific policies to encourage businesses to invest in agriculture and rural areas; Decision on the support regime for businesses, organizations and individuals in scientific and technological activities for the period of 2016-2020; Policy to support agricultural extension activities; Policy stipulating basic technical requirements of water-saving irrigation systems in Ninh Thuan province…

These policies to support agricultural and rural development has created favorable conditions for cooperatives and households to boldly invest in water-saving irrigation models, VietGAP safe production models, OCOP products, models linking businesses-cooperatives-farmer households in production, processing and consumption of products along the value chain in the direction of high technology application.

Thank you!

“Currently, investment cost for each irrigation system saves an average of 50 million VND/ha, but it contributes to protecting the health of producers, consumers and the ecological environment, facilitating the restoration of the ecosystem for drought- and erosion-prone lands and at risk of desertification. At the same time, raise people's awareness in the process of reasonable use of water resources, gradually apply technical advances in production, adapting to climate change, maintaining stable production in a sustainable way.", said Mr. Dang Kim Cuong, Director of Ninh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.