By Hieu Nhan
TVU – The program “Expanding water storage models for domestic use and agriculture in coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta” concludes at Tra Vinh University on December 20, marking significant achievements in helping coastal residents adapt to climate change.
The United Nations Development Programme – Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (UNDP – AFCIA) supports this development initiative for 2023-2024, with the Vietnam Association of Community Colleges (VACC) managing and Tra Vinh University implementing the program. It aims to enhance water storage capacity in coastal provinces severely impacted by climate change.
Prof. Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh, President of VACC and Tra Vinh University Council Chairman, emphasizes: “The VACC and Tra Vinh University remain committed to community development while establishing foundations for future initiatives supporting sustainable livelihoods in climate-challenged households. This program contributes to social and economic progress, particularly addressing salinity intrusion and drought issues affecting the Mekong Delta and similar regions worldwide.”
Mr. Le Van Tai, Deputy Head of Agriculture Department in Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province
Over 16 months, the program has achieved impressive results, including the installation of three prototype water storage and irrigation systems, repurposing of over one ton of industrial shrimp pond plastic sheets, implementation of 30 agricultural water storage systems with automatic irrigation, installation of 32 domestic water systems with filtration and UV treatment, conducting over 20 training sessions on system maintenance and water management, the initiative directly benefits more than 60 households, impacting more than 300 persons, with thousands more gaining access to water storage knowledge for agriculture and domestic use.
Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Bich, Deputy Director of TVU’s Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, reports that the program successfully addresses critical freshwater shortages caused by salinity intrusion and drought.
Mr. Le Quang Rang, Deputy Director of Tra Vinh Province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, commends the program’s effectiveness and advocates for its expansion beyond the current provinces of Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, and Soc Trang.
The VACC and Tra Vinh University award over 80 certificates recognizing contributions from farmers, technical staff, and local officials. Associate Professor Dr. Diep Thanh Tung, Vice Rector of Tra Vinh University, concludes by acknowledging the crucial support from provincial departments and local authorities in the program’s success.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Thanh Tung, Vice Rector of Tra Vinh University, delivers the closing speech.
This initiative represents one of many ongoing VACC and Tra Vinh University efforts to promote sustainable community development in the Mekong Delta region.
Delegates attend the closing ceremony of the program “expanding water storage models for domestic use and agriculture in coastal provinces of the Mekong delta”
