This is the first time salinity has become an issue in an area just 20 kilometres from from Can Tho city, a part of the Mekong Delta previously regarded as being an overwhelmingly freshwater environment.
This farmer’s 5 fruit gardens worth 500 US dollars could be completely ruined. Many of the lemon trees have died just before harvest. Losses seem inevitable as most waterways and channels are affected by salinisation.
"There were many blossoms until the salt water penetrated the garden. Now the flowers have died. I really hoped for a good harvest to make some money back on my investment, but this time I think I’ll suffer losses", said Huynh Van Hon, a farmer in Trinh Phu Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province.
This is the first time in 40 years, salinisation has occurred in neighbouring Can Tho city. Most farmers had no idea they would face such problems and made no preparations.
The fruit gardens and rice paddies are badly damaged. Hong is desperate looking at the damaged field, as his efforts and resources have been ploughed into his land, which seems unlikely to offer him a return.
"Tet is supposed to be joyful, but this makes me sad. My efforts in the last three month have been for nothing", said Huynh Cong Hong, a farmer in Trinh Phu Commune, Ke Sach District, Soc Trang Province.
In fact, if the burning sunlight and salinisation continues, it will not only be coastal regions like Sóc Trăng, but other regions further inland that will also suffer from severe harvest losses.
