Salt intrusion threatens livelihoods in Ca Mau

Locals complained the salty grounds are prevents shrimp farming and causing rice paddies to return low yields. 

A degraded 100-kilometre dyke, which has needed proper repairs for many years, lies at the root of the issue. In rainy seasons, the dyke is no long able to block waves breaking into cultivation areas. 

Tran Van Dau, a local resident, said beside a new concrete dyke, a protection forest ought to be planted to secure cultivation areas. 

According to Du Be Ba, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee in Tran Van Thoi district, to handle the issue and prevent people from abandoning salty land, local authorities are mapping out farming areas in the locality. For instance, high-salinity areas and the salt water itself can be utilised to raise brackish plants and animals. 

Land improvement is also a priority, shared Ba. In the long-term, a State-funded project worth 1.3 trillion VND (59.9 million USD) has been carried out to upgrade the dyke system towards completion in 2020.