Upgrading irrigation works

According to reports, many localities in western Lam Dong province, frequently affected by drought, have implemented various solutions to mitigate damage to agricultural production. However, assessments indicate that the results have not met expectations, and a significant area of ​​crops still lacks reliable irrigation.

In Nhan Co commune, in recent years, production areas far from irrigation systems have experienced a decline in groundwater levels from drilled wells, affected by drought. According to Mr. Pham Khac Vuong, from Hamlet 15, Nhan Co commune, his family owns 2 hectares of coffee plantations. In recent years, they have been severely affected by drought, resulting in fewer fruits and, in addition, their plantations have been attacked by mealybugs, reducing yield by about 30%. The situation has eased somewhat in the last two years, but water scarcity during peak hot seasons still occurs.

Mr. Le Thanh Dong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhan Co commune, said that in addition to solutions on applying improved varieties and incorporating various farming methods to combat drought, the locality has proposed that the unit managing and operating the irrigation works upgrade and increase the capacity of irrigation facilities in the area, such as Bau Muoi and Dak Krung reservoirs. This is considered a highly feasible engineering solution to adapt to the increasingly severe water scarcity during the dry season in the area. Another reason is that few people apply advanced irrigation methods. According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Dong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dong commune, the locality aims to have over 90% of the commune's main crop area irrigated proactively by 2030 through irrigation systems, electric/diesel pumps, boreholes, or localized irrigation systems; and to proactively prevent and combat drought in areas growing rice, vegetables, and high-value fruit trees, especially in the context of climate change. Of that, at least 10-15% of the commune's perennial crop and vegetable growing area applies advanced, water-saving irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and rotational irrigation.

Promoting integrated solutions

By early 2026, people in the western part of the province had converted approximately 4,100 hectares of unsuitable and inefficient long-term crops to fruit trees (avocado, jackfruit, oranges, tangerines, durian) or intercropping (pepper, durian, macadamia, etc.) with higher economic efficiency. Over the past five years, localities have also converted 1,000 hectares of high-lying, water-scarce rice land to other crops with higher economic efficiency. However, the area of ​​long-term and short-term crops converted to drought mitigation measures is considered to be still relatively small.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, to prevent and combat long-term water shortages and droughts, solutions related to restructuring crop patterns linked to value chains need to be more strongly promoted by localities. Simultaneously, solutions involving the application of digital science and technology, automation, water-saving irrigation, smart sensors, reducing irrigation water by 20-30%, planting and protecting forests, and expanding agroforestry models to increase forest cover in green, circular agriculture also contribute to improving the effectiveness of long-term drought prevention and control.