ALBAWABA - In the Ben Tre province, located in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, farmer Nguyen Hoai Thuong finds himself facing a daily struggle as a blazing month-long heatwave has led to drought in the region. The lack of rain has parched the land, leaving rice fields cracked and dry, forcing Vietnam farmers to consider other methods of livelihood, such as raising cows.
What almost seems like a never-ending heatwave, on top of the lack of rain, has worsened the issue of salinization, as saltwater from the sea intrudes upon the waterways in the region.
(Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
This issue is severely impacting the crops that are essential for feeding Vietnam's population of 90 million people. Without access to fresh water, families like Thuong's are left with no choice but to purchase water for daily domestic use.
The Mekong Delta region has faced saltwater intrusion annually, but the effects are sadly becoming more and more severe due to climate change factors, such as the rising sea levels, and the increasingly intense hot weather. As a result, crop losses in the region are projected to reach nearly $3 billion annually.
(Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
Farmers like Phan Thanh Trung are feeling the impacts firsthand, as the salty water makes their land unusable for cultivation. Those fortunate enough to have access to underground fresh water, like Nguyen Van Hung, are finding ways to adapt, such as selling water to neighbors during these very rough times.
As the Vietnam farmers in Ben Tre deal with the challenges of climate change, it is important to remember that without spending effort to put a stop to these issues, the chances are they won't get any better.
