HANOI: The seeping of rising saltwater levels into arable land has caused Vietnam to lose nearly $3 billion a year, said a report on Sunday.
Research from the country’s Environment Ministry showed the damage would likely hit the Mekong Delta region, known as Vietnam’s rice bowl as it provides food and livelihoods for millions of people.
Saltwater levels are often much higher in the dry season but they are increasing because of rising sea levels, tidal fluctuations, droughts, and shortage of upstream freshwater.
According to research by Water Resources Science Institute, which is under the Environment Ministry, the crop losses could reach upto to $2.94 billion.
The research found that the Ca Mau province is the most impacted parts of the country which could lose $665 million.
According to the study, presented at a conference on water resource management Ben Tre province could face roughly $472 million in losses.
29 percent of the fruit trees are damaged in Mekong Delta, while crops account for 27 percent, and rice accounts for nearly 14 percent, said the findings. It added the fisheries industry accounts for 30 percent.
The Department of Water Resources, earlier this month, warned against the intrusion of saline around 80,000 hectares of rice and fruit farms in the Mekong Delta.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting salt intrusion in the area between 2023-2024 was much higher than the average.
