AnGiang (VNA) – The amount of alluvium in the Mekong Delta has droppedabout 65-75 percent and is forecast to decrease over 90 percent in the future,heard a workshop in An Giang province on March 27.

Dr. Le Minh Nhat from the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority under theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development gave the warning at theconsultation workshop on preparing the “Transforming the Mekong Delta” projectfunded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Mekong Delta and Long Xuyen quadrilateral, encompassing Kien Giang, AnGiang, Hau Giang and Can Tho, in particular are facing serious river bankerosion with total length of 520km due to construction activities, he said.

Apart from erosion, the region has grappled with drought and unusual high floodsas a result of climate change impacts, given its great contribution to nationaleconomic development.

Among eight agricultural products with export value exceeding 1 billion USD inthe country, the Mekong Delta is home to five namely shrimp, tra fish, fruit,rice and vegetables.

Climate change has also caused challenges to agricultural production andaffected livelihoods of residents in the Long Xuyen quadrilateral which covers500,000 hectares or 20 percent of the region’s total area, with strength inrice production, aquatic products and fruits.

Nguyen Si Lam, Director of An Giang province’s Department of Agriculture andRural Development, said in 2016 the sub-region suffered from drought, saltwaterintrusion and unseasonal rains.

Last year, flooding has changed the crop schedule and affected livelihoods aswell as daily life of local residents, he said, adding that the decreasedalluvium has resulted in higher cultivation costs and reduced profits in riceproduction.

Another problem facing the sub-region is depression which has led to declinednatural aquatic resources and imbalanced biodiversity, according to theofficial.

Experts suggested the provinces roll out plans to manage river bankscomprehensively and plans for the use of land along river bank corridors.

Tran Anh Thu, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of An Giang province,said the Long Xuyen quadrilateral should develop in harmony with the nature, andlivelihoods for local residents and infrastructure in transport and irrigation shouldmatch its ecological conditions.

AnjaliAcharya, a senior environmental expert of the WB, said the CGF aims to provideabout 40 million USD in non-refundable aid for Vietnam to carry out the“Transforming the Mekong Delta” project, focusing on Dong Thap Muoi and theLong Xuyen quadrilateral.

As part of the multi-national programme covering Vietnam and Cambodia, the projectis set to help realise policies regarding climate change response in the MekongDelta, increase climate change adaptation capacity for inter-provincialprojects, and build small-scale infrastructure to increase agricultural valuechains, she said.-VNA