Can Tho- On the 11th and 12th of March 2016 a dialogue forum and training on “Sharing Experiences in Agriculture for Salinity Areas in the Mekong River Delta” was hosted and organized by the Dragon Institute for Climate Change and financed by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Can Tho.

On the 11th and 12th of March 2016 a dialogue forum and training on “Sharing Experiences in Agriculture for Salinity Areas in the Mekong River Delta” was hosted and organized by the Dragon Institute for Climate Change and financed by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Can Tho.

At the forum, hold at Can Tho University in the Kien Giang Province, experts from Vietnam’s civil society, researchers and governmental officials exchanged their knowledge on water saving technologies and practices. Crucial issues were presented by participants, followed by fruitful and active discussions among the actors present.

The forum highlighted the importance of the topic for the whole population in the Mekong Delta. However, farmers and low income households are identified as most vulnerable. In order to change the current trend of a further deepening of the ground water table of up to 40cm per year, common action has to be taken. In particular, traditional farming and irrigation methods have to be analyzed and adjusted towards more water efficiency.

Le Quang Tri, Director of The Dragon Institute highlighted: “There is need to raise awareness among all actors involved in order to stop unsustainable water use!”

 The two days event, with a field trip on the second day, led to several new partnerships between different actors with the aim to increase the effectiveness of their work on the topic. The participants agreed that they need to act fast and united in the fight against a further groundwater salinization in the region.

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