Coastal provinces on the southern side of Hau (Rear)River, one of the two main tributaries of Mekong River , are mostvulnerable to seawater intrusion. The area, including An Giang, KienGiang and Ca Mau provinces, is bordered by the sea on both sides. The fact that the Delta, which is partially inundated by Mekong 'stributaries during rainy seasons, surprisingly did not experience anyflooding last year has raised fears that seawater may advance muchfurther inland this year compared to previous years. Salinity of four parts per thousand (ppt) has been detected around sevenkilometres into rivers in An Giang province, which is 25km from thecoast, said Vuong Huu Tien, deputy head of the provincial Department ofWater Resources Management. He noted that rice crops cannot withstand salinity of just one ppt. "Farmers have finished harvesting the winter-spring crop, but we're concerned about next crop which starts shortly," he said. "Seawater intrusion usually intensifies from the end of … [Read more...] about Delta farmers brace for tough dry season
Billions season 1
Premier League to close transfer window before season
Following complaints by managers that transfer activity disturbs their preparations, clubs will not be able to register new players after 1600 GMT on the Thursday before the season starts.The transfer window in Europe's other major leagues runs until Aug 31, meaning clubs outside England could buy players from English top-flight teams after the new Premier League deadline."Premier League clubs have today agreed to a rule amendment that will see the summer transfer window in any year end at 17:00 on the Thursday before the start of the season," the Premier League said in a statement."This is for Premier League clubs only and has no bearing on other leagues and competitions."Europe's other major leagues - Spain's Liga, Italy's Serie A, the German Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1 - now face a decision about whether to fall into line with England.Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta says Serie A's 20 clubs are in agreement to "set the end of the transfer window on July 31" in Italy. "The transfer … [Read more...] about Premier League to close transfer window before season
Thua Thien- Hue invests 1.3 million USD in afforestation
(Photo: VNA)Thua Thien- Hue (VNA) – The central province of Thua Thien- Hue has splashed out 30 billion VND (1.33 million USD) on planting 290 hectares of forests, including 50ha of mangrove forest in response to climate change in 2015.The provincial forestry department has supported localities to map out their afforestation plans and supplied them with 23,000 seedlings, mostly mangroves. Other mangrove varieties, which are suitable with the salt marshes in the province, have been successfully produced.A large area of mangrove forests has been restored in Lap An lagoon in Lang Co town, making it home to a slew of valuable sea creatures.In addition to the development of five hectares of forest in Ru Cha, Huong Phong coastal commune cultivated 4,000 square metres of mangrove forests with 2,200 varieties, forming bio-diversity and protecting environment in estuaries and areas near Tam Giang lagoon. Thua Thien Hue has over 128 kilometres of coastline with 22,600 hectares of the … [Read more...] about Thua Thien- Hue invests 1.3 million USD in afforestation
Thailand offers $1 bln loan to struggling jasmine rice farmers
Thailand's rice management committee said on Monday it will offer loans worth $1 billion to jasmine rice farmers struggling with falling prices, on a condition that they store the grain for six months to slow down market supply. The new rice harvest season is currently underway in Thailand, the world's second-biggest rice exporter, and the Southeast Asian nation expects output of the grain for the 2016/17 production year to come in at 25 million tonnes. Prices for jasmine rice, Thailand's highest quality rice, have tumbled to their lowest level in years, leaving the military government scrambling to appease the country's farmers. The 35.8 billion baht ($1.02 billion) loan scheme, which will be implemented by Thailand's state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), is aimed at curbing an oversupply of jasmine rice in the market and stabilising prices, said Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraporn. "If we can push up prices of jasmine rice, prices of other rice … [Read more...] about Thailand offers $1 bln loan to struggling jasmine rice farmers
Authorities to ensure people’s safety in rainy season
A new suspension bridge in Minh Hoa District. — Photo nld.com.vn QUANG BINH — Authorities in this central province are working actively to enhance the safety of reservoirs, dams and bridges during the rainy and flooding season.The provincial People's Committee has disbursed VND23 billion (US$1.02 million) to strengthen weak spots on the walls of reservoirs and dams used for irrigation work and by hydropower plants.A joint force of personnel from the agencies of flood and storm prevention, disaster rescue and transport sectors has been set up for monitoring the safety of all reservoirs, dams and bridges in the locality.Nguyen Ngoc Phung, director of the local department of irrigation and disaster prevention, said his agency has deployed more staff for irrigation work and closer monitoring during the rainy season.The local department of transport has announced the completion of 10 suspension bridges spanning streams and canals in remote areas.Eight of these bridges … [Read more...] about Authorities to ensure people’s safety in rainy season
V-League seeks new sponsor partners for 2015 season
HA NOI (VNS) — Pham Phu Hoa, deputy general director of the Viet Nam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), has announced that his company was seeking new sponsors for the V-League in the 2015 season. VPF, owner of the national football leagues, confirmed that Eximbank, the main sponsor who has worked with the V-League, the premier tournament, would not continue after the end of their contract this year. Eximbank has been sponsoring the V-League for four years since 2010 with a VND30-billion (US$1.43-million) deal per year. Hoa said the present VPF leadership was in discussions with some prospective partners, but nothing has been confirmed yet. He expected VPF to have co-sponsors next season. VPF are also seeking sponsors for the V-League 2 and the National Cup. — VNS … [Read more...] about V-League seeks new sponsor partners for 2015 season
Delta flower, fruit farmers get ready for seasonal holiday sales boom
CUU LONG DELTA (VNS) — Farmers in Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces are busily working to produce flowers and special-shaped fruit traditionally sought after by people for Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday decorations. The Phu Tri Agriculture Extensive Club, owned by farmer Vo Trung Thanh in Hau Giang Province's Phu Tan village, has already received orders from HCM City and other provinces for 5,500 wine gourd-shaped pomelos. His plan was to produce at least 10,000 pomelos for the Tet markets. One pomelo will cost VND300,000 (US$14,28)-VND700,000, depending on the size. Thanh said he had recently stopped taking orders because the flowers of nearly 2,000 pomelo trees had bloomed early, meaning the harvest would come sooner than expected. "I hope I'll be able to harvest more than 8,000 pomelos, " he said. Thanh said farmers of his club would also grow at least 3,500 wine-gourd watermelons. The wine-gourd shaped watermelons grown by Delta farmers for the first time sold well … [Read more...] about Delta flower, fruit farmers get ready for seasonal holiday sales boom
Local authorities prepare for coming storm season
Province and city authorities have started repairs and upgrades on irrigation systems and reservoirs ahead of the wet season. Workers reinforce the Lam River embankment in Duc Tho District in the central province of Ha Tinh, as the central region also lays in food and rescue equipment for the flood season. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said an unpredictable and complicated wet season was coming, bringing heavy rains to HCM City and Hanoi.In Hanoi, 21 areas in the city would be flooded with more than 100mm of rain expected this summer.Even after the light rain last Monday, streets near the centre were flooded and Van Ho Street received the most rainfall with 38mm falling.Luu Van Hai, deputy director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Yen So Pumping Station, which discharged up to 90cu.m per second into the Red River, and 18 other … [Read more...] about Local authorities prepare for coming storm season
Local carriers increase flights in peak season
The local Air Mekong carrier has also increased its number of flights between Ha Noi and Phu Quoc Island to 10 flights per week; between HCM City and Con Dao to 12 flights per week; and between HCM City and Phu Quoc three flights a day. Air Mekong operates 34 flights a day; more flights will be added on weekends.Jetstar Pacific will this month begin to add 48 more flights between Ha Noi/ HCM City and Da Nang.Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon)Association forecasts coffee output will dropAccording to the Viet Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association, the country's coffee output in the 2012–13 season is expected to drop by 15 per cent compared to last year's season.The decline is attributed to a rising ratio of old to new trees, with the former now taking up 35 per cent of all coffee-cultivation areas. The productivity of old coffee trees is only half of that of young coffee trees, according to the association.Because local consumption of coffee is expected to rise between seven and 10 … [Read more...] about Local carriers increase flights in peak season
$1.4 million invested in Tram Chim Park
DONG THAP (VNS)— Mekong Delta Dong Thap Province will spend more than VND31 billion (US$1.4 million) to conserve Tram Chim National Park's wetland areas and safeguard the park against fire over the next seven years. Accordingly, the park will set up mechanisms to monitor the submergence situation and conserve the flora, fauna and precious species living in the wetland.The park will also work to minimise the risk of fire to the cajuput forest and grassland during the dry season, using community assistance to create buffer zones.-VNS … [Read more...] about $1.4 million invested in Tram Chim Park