Promoting investment in irrigation infrastructure to boost agricultural production

Upgrading the irrigation system to ensure steady water supply

In addition to providing support for the local residents with regards to crop varieties and the scientific-technical aspects of crop and livestock production, Thai Nguyen province has prioritized investment in the construction and reinforcement of local irrigation structure system to proactively manage irrigation water sources, thereby effectively meeting the demands of agricultural production.

According to the residents of Thanh Ninh commune, Phu Binh district, the commune previously utilized a pump station called Doi Thong. However, due to prolonged use, the pump was damaged, and local residents were forced to use family-owned pumps and draw water from the stream to irrigate their fields. The manual pumping process added further challenges to the already strenuous agricultural work.

"With support from the government, the commune has constructed a pump station with a robust water irrigation canal system since 2022, thereby effectively meeting the irrigation needs of the local fields. Consequently, the rice crops are thriving on the 10-hectare field, bringing immense joy to the local farmers," shared Mr. Nguyen Van Huyen residing in Thanh Ninh commune, Phu Binh district.

With the aim of ensuring irrigation water for the spring crop of 2024, the local governments of Thai Nguyen province have actively stored and conserved water at irrigation structures. According to assessments by specialized agencies, the level of water reserves in multiple reservoirs across the province is sufficient to serve the upcoming winter and spring crops.

Following the construction of the Nam Huong dam in Thanh Ninh commune, Phu Binh district, which recently received investment in 2022, water extraction for the production of 50 hectares of rice in six hamlets across Thanh Ninh and Luong Phu has become more convenient. Before the end of the current rice harvest, the water at Nam Huong dam has been adequately stored by the Phu Binh Irrigation Exploitation Station under the Thai Nguyen Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited to support the upcoming spring crop.

Thanks to recent the support and investment from various levels of government, approximately 18 kilometers of the canal network in Uc Ky commune, Phu Binh district has been reinforced, thereby meeting the irrigation needs for 250 hectares of rice production area.

"After the government constructed a new concrete canal in 2021, I no longer have to rely on a manual pump, and water could flow directly into the fields. Thanks to this, the rice crops have grown well, with no concerns about water shortage during the dry season," shared Mr. Duong Van Hung, a local resident.

In addition to the Nam Huong dam, Thai Nguyen Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited has invested in repairing, upgrading, and constructing 11 irrigation structures in Phu Binh district between 2021 and 2023. The company has entrusted the Phu Binh Irrigation Exploitation Station to manage 16 reservoirs, 2 flood dams, and nearly 30 kilometers of canal networks. The station's facilities provide irrigation water for over 3,500 hectares of rice and 700 hectares of winter crops across 15 local communes and towns.

Promoting large-scale commodity agriculture

According to the Phu Binh district's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, existing irrigation structures within the province can currently meet irrigation needs, serving agricultural production for local residents. As a result, the district has developed various production models with gradually increasing scale and quantity, thereby moving towards commodity agriculture. Furthermore, concentrated and specialized rice production fields have also been established within the district.

Phu Binh district currently has 106 reservoirs and dams, 38 pumping stations, and over 610 kilometers of canal networks. With support from the provincial government since 2021, the district has invested over 27 billion Vietnamese dong in the construction, repair, and upgrade of irrigation structures across various communes and towns, effectively meeting the irrigation needs for over 12,000 hectares of rice production areas.

Tasked with managing 200 irrigation structures, which include 90 water reservoirs, 103 flood dams, 7 pumping stations, and 248 kilometers of various canal networks, and providing irrigation water for over 16,000 hectares of rice production area, the Thai Nguyen Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited has been actively storing and conserving water in its reservoirs. On average, the level of water reserves in multiple reservoirs across the province currently reaches 60 to 80% of their designed capacity.

In addition to regular inspection, maintenance, and repair of irrigation structures, the company also develops water regulation plans for reservoirs and flood dams after the rainy season to ensure both flood control capacity and sufficient water storage for agricultural production. With the current state of local water resources and rainfall, the company expects to ensure an adequate water supply for the winter crop in 2023 and the spring crop in 2024.