Agricultural water supply suggested market mechanisms
Vietnam should shift from a subsidised to a market-based water supply mechanism in order to improve the efficiency of agricultural water use and saving.
It was shared by many foreign experts at the workshop “Sharing international experience on agricultural water pricing” held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Hanoi on April 6.
According to the statistics, the total volume of water exploited and used worldwide is now nearly 4,000 billion cubic meters. Nearly 95% of water in developing countries is used to irrigate in agricultural production.
At the workshop, foreigns scientists said that climate change will reduce the water reserves, while the warmer temperature will increase the water use for crops. So, it is necessary to have policies to improve irrigation efficiency, experts said.
Many delegates shared practices on water pricing methods in several countries. Water pricing policy will encourage water saving and effective distribution of the resource, adapting to a climate change, however it requires strict supervision, they said.
In Vietnam, the government has the policy to support the irrigation charges for the people.
Speaking at the meeting, MARD Deputy Minister Hoang Van Thang said the government has subsidised irrigation services to ease the burden for farmers for many years.
The policy should be changed, in which agricultural water supply must follow a market mechanism to promote water conservation and sustainable farming practices, Thang noted, adding that the country needs to pursue a sustainable and climate change-adapted agriculture.
According to Deputy Minister Thang, the market-based water pricing policy does not equate to less support for farmers as they will be assisted by the government in other ways.
The Deputy Minister also emphasised that poor management of irrigation systems is a major problem, particularly in drought-hit areas, and it could be addressed not only by the government but also with the participation of people and the private sector.
Moreover, the water pricing method also helps people to raise awareness of water saving, adapting to climate change, he added.
According to the statistics, the total volume of water exploited and used worldwide is now nearly 4,000 billion cubic meters. Nearly 95% of water in developing countries is used to irrigate in agricultural production.
At the workshop, foreigns scientists said that climate change will reduce the water reserves, while the warmer temperature will increase the water use for crops. So, it is necessary to have policies to improve irrigation efficiency, experts said.
Illustrative image.
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In Vietnam, the government has the policy to support the irrigation charges for the people.
Speaking at the meeting, MARD Deputy Minister Hoang Van Thang said the government has subsidised irrigation services to ease the burden for farmers for many years.
The policy should be changed, in which agricultural water supply must follow a market mechanism to promote water conservation and sustainable farming practices, Thang noted, adding that the country needs to pursue a sustainable and climate change-adapted agriculture.
According to Deputy Minister Thang, the market-based water pricing policy does not equate to less support for farmers as they will be assisted by the government in other ways.
The Deputy Minister also emphasised that poor management of irrigation systems is a major problem, particularly in drought-hit areas, and it could be addressed not only by the government but also with the participation of people and the private sector.
Moreover, the water pricing method also helps people to raise awareness of water saving, adapting to climate change, he added.
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