Reasonable regulation of water resources for summer-autumn crop production in 2025

Since the beginning of the year, some places in the province have had rain, so the water stored in reservoirs is quite abundant, ensuring agricultural production. However, it is forecasted that in the coming time, especially in the summer months when there is often prolonged hot weather, the risk of water shortage at the end of the summer-autumn crop in 2025 may occur. To ensure effective production, the Provincial Irrigation Works Exploitation Company has proactively proposed an optimal and flexible water regulation plan.

Báo Ninh Thuận•09/04/2025

According to the Provincial Irrigation Works Exploitation Company, as of April 2, the storage capacity of 23 reservoirs in the province reached 252.83 million m3, reaching 60.5% of the design capacity. Of which, the storage capacity of Song Cai reservoir is 161.07 million m3, reaching 73.3% of the design capacity, up 27.8% over the same period in 2024; the water storage capacity of the remaining 21 reservoirs (excluding Loi Hai reservoir) is 88.53 million m3, reaching 45.49% of the design capacity, down 2.16% over the same period in 2024. Don Duong reservoir's water level is equivalent to 118.26 million m3, reaching 71.7% of the design capacity, 4.2% higher than the same period in 2024.

The canal system brings water from Song Cai Lake to the downstream for production and daily life. Photo: PN

Based on the water volume in the reservoirs, after balancing the priority for daily life, livestock and key economic sectors of the province at 15.97 million m3, the Provincial Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited will regulate irrigation water for the 2025 summer-autumn crop to be 24,617.14 hectares; of which, rice is 12,545.92 hectares, color crops are 11,650.10 hectares, and aquaculture is 421.12 hectares. Specifically, for the dam systems of Song Pha, Binh Phu, 19/5, Dong F on Song Ong and the dams of Nha Trinh - Lam Cam on Song Cai, water is regulated for a total production land area of 16,253.75 hectares; of which, rice is 10,403.25 hectares, color crops are 4,188.17 hectares, perennial crops are 1,245.48 hectares, and aquaculture is 416.85 hectares. For Tan My irrigation system, it regulates water supply for the entire production area of Chung canal and branch canal of Main canal and creates source for Phuoc Hoa pumping station, Tan My weir irrigation area with total area of 1,830.49ha; of which, rice is 200.45ha, color crops are 1,163.29ha, perennial crops are 466.75ha. For seasonal dams and pumping stations on the river, it regulates water with total area of 389.95ha; of which, rice is 67ha, color crops are 285.84ha, perennial crops are 64.11ha.

For reservoirs in the province, based on water sources at reservoirs after the end of the 2024-2025 winter-spring crop and hydrometeorological forecasts in the 2025 dry season, the Provincial Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited will build water regulation according to 2 options:

Option 1: In case there is light rain in the province by May, the amount of water added to the reservoir is insignificant, then in the summer-autumn crop, the company will regulate irrigation water in some reservoirs to have enough water with a total water supply area for production of 6,167.81 hectares (of which, rice is 2,172.81 hectares, color crops are 3,068.66 hectares, perennial crops are 926.34 hectares), a decrease of 484.10 hectares compared to the plan. At that time, the total production area of the summer-autumn crop is 24,642 hectares.

Option 2: In case from now until May, the province has short-term rains, adding significant water sources to the reservoirs, the company will supplement the irrigation area at 3 reservoirs (Song Trau, Ba Rau, Lanh Ra) with a total water supply area for production of 7,469.01 hectares (of which, rice is 3,006.51 hectares, color crops are 3,536.16 hectares, perennial crops are 926.34 hectares), an increase of 817.10 hectares compared to the plan. At that time, the total production area of the summer-autumn crop is 25,943.20 hectares, an increase of 1,326.06 hectares compared to the plan assigned by the Provincial People's Committee.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Xung, Chairman of the Provincial Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited, said: In order to facilitate water regulation for the 2025 summer-autumn crop production, the company proposed that the Department of Agriculture and Environment work with the Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Joint Stock Company in April to agree on a plan to run generators to supplement water supply for the downstream of Ninh Thuan. Develop a production plan, convert inefficient rice areas to water-saving crops with high economic efficiency. Advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue a decision approving the Project "Developing sustainable agricultural production in the irrigation area of Tan My irrigation system" so that the company has a basis to coordinate with localities to apply the results and products of the project to serve production.

The company also requested the People's Committees of districts and cities to direct communes and wards to organize dredging, exploitation and good management of irrigation works that have been decentralized to local management; direct water use cooperatives to coordinate with the company to regulate water in rotational canals in the fields. Strengthen propaganda for people about the risk of drought so that they do not produce outside the plan; implement planting according to the crop calendar and production plan of the agricultural sector.

Tuan Anh

Source: https://baoninhthuan.com.vn/news/152519p1c30/dieu-tiet-hop-ly-nguon-nuoc-phuc-vu-san-xuat-vu-hethu-2025.htm