IMPACT OF SALINE INTRUSION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN VINH THUAN DISTRICT, KIEN GIANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Abstract

This study aimed to survey the current status of saline intrusion in Vinh Thuan district, to assess the understanding of the local people on saline intrusion, review the impact of saline intrusion on agricultural production. Salinity was measured continuously for seven months wherein 60 households and six government officials were interviewed in Vinh Binh Bac and Vinh Phong communes, Vinh Thuan district, Kien Giang province, Vietnam. The results showed that salinity was higher than 4 parts per thousand in both communes during thedry season affecting local farming models in which rice in the combined shrimp-rice model was seriously damaged resulting in household income loss by 30%. Of the 60 households interviewed, 96.7% knew aboutsaline intrusion, of which 26.7% knew about saltwater intrusion through workshops held by agrochemical sellers. At the survey site, there were three main production models, including a rice-shrimp model (58.3%), shrimp combined with other aquatic species (33.4%), and pineapple farming (8.3%). Farmers understood that saline intrusion seriously affects agricultural production (accounting for 100% of interviewed households). In terms of adaptive capacity, the interview results showed that the rice-shrimp and pineapple models are more adaptable than the shrimp and aquatic species integrated models. Based on the results, some measures are proposed to minimize the damage caused by saline intrusion as well as improve the adaptability of the farmers of Vinh Thuan district to the effects of saline intrusion.