Economic 'boost' from Dau Tieng Lake

Dau Tieng Lake, the largest irrigation project in Southeast Asia, not only provides irrigation water for production but also serves as a resource for developing high-tech agriculture, aquaculture, and ecosystem conservation. Effective and strategic exploitation of Dau Tieng Lake will create a "boost" for the agricultural sector of the Southeast region in general and Tay Ninh province in particular, contributing to making this area a modern and sustainable agricultural center.

Canals filled with fresh water meander between the fields.

Greening the arid land

Before the construction of the Duc Hoa Main Canal and Irrigation Area of the Phuoc Hoa irrigation system from Dau Tieng Lake, many agricultural lands in Duc Hoa district, Long An province (old) were often barren and difficult to cultivate in the dry season. Since the Phuoc Hoa canal system was put into operation in December 2015, with more than 182km of irrigation canals, the shortage of water for production in the dry season has been resolved.

The canals are built solidly and widely, helping to maintain a steady flow, creating an irrigation system that supplies water to thousands of hectares of agricultural land. Along the canals are lush green rice fields and lush green crop areas, replacing the previously barren fields. Thanks to this, farmers can not only grow 3 rice crops per year but also increase productivity, from 3-3.5 tons/ha to 7-7.5 tons/ha.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ha (residing in Hiep Hoa commune) said: “Previously, farmers mainly grew industrial crops, but due to lack of irrigation water, productivity was very low. Since the Phuoc Hoa canal system was put into use, production has become much more favorable. In particular, rice output has doubled, and people's lives have improved. As for vegetables, which were previously almost impossible to grow in the dry season, now grow well all year round.”

In addition to providing irrigation water, Dau Tieng Reservoir also limits the impact of saltwater intrusion on production areas. From 2023 to July 2025, Dau Tieng Reservoir will discharge more than 500 million m³ of fresh water into the irrigation system of Long An province (old), helping to minimize damage caused by saltwater intrusion and protect farmers' crops.

Director of the Provincial Irrigation and Clean Water Center Trang Tan Tai said: “The unit advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop a plan for water supply for agriculture and industry from 2026-2028. This plan has been sent to the Southern Irrigation Exploitation One Member Co., Ltd. to coordinate in adjusting and implementing water supply in accordance with the actual situation after the merger of Tay Ninh and Long An provinces.

According to forecasts, the agricultural land area supplied with water from Dau Tieng Lake will reach 213,476 hectares by 2025, of which about 139,940 hectares will be directly irrigated and 73,537 hectares will be supplied with water to create sources. From 2026-2028, the water supply area will be maintained at 213,642 hectares per year, of which about 137,187 hectares will be directly irrigated and 76,455 hectares will be irrigated to create sources.

“To protect agricultural production during the dry season, the Center will discharge water through the Phuoc Hoi - Ben Dinh drainage canal system with a flow rate of 5m³/s, supporting the source and maintaining the flow, while pushing back salinity and keeping fresh water on the Vam Co Dong River,” Mr. Trang Tan Tai emphasized.

Attracting big investors

Dau Tieng Lake plays a special role Dau Tieng Lake plays a special role in providing water for agriculture

With a stable water source from Dau Tieng Lake, Tay Ninh province not only develops traditional agriculture but also becomes an attractive destination for high-tech agricultural investors. In particular, large corporations such as De Heus Group (Netherlands) and Hung Nhon Group have chosen Tay Ninh as the place to deploy the DHN Tay Ninh high-tech agricultural complex chain with the leading scale in the region.

In addition, the Irrigation Project in the West of the Vam Co Dong River - Phase 1 was completed and put into use from the end of 2022, contributing to attracting investment in the province through water supply to serve businesses such as Hung Thinh Company Limited, Vietnam Dairy Cow One Member Co., Ltd. (Vinamilk) - Tay Ninh Dairy Cow Farm (about 250ha), Thanh Thanh Cong Company (TTC) Tay Ninh - TTC Ben Cau Farm (about 150ha).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen Phuong (owner of a clean vegetable farm in Tan Ninh ward) said: "A clean vegetable farm needs a source of irrigation water that ensures quality and is not polluted. Dau Tieng Lake with its abundant water reserves has provided a suitable source of irrigation water for the farm's high-tech agricultural model. Thanks to the automatic drip irrigation and misting system, the water from the lake not only maintains humidity for crops but also limits pests and diseases. With a clean and stable water source, we are confident in producing vegetables that meet VietGAP standards, are trusted by consumers, and contribute to building the brand of clean agricultural products of Tay Ninh."

Phuoc Hoa irrigation system brings fresh water from Dau Tieng lake to irrigate fields in the dry season.

Realizing the potential of Dau Tieng Lake's water source, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan (owner of a circular economic model in Duong Minh Chau commune) came up with the idea of raising freshwater fish combined with growing fruit trees. "My circular economic model is sustainable thanks to the water source from Dau Tieng Lake. Thanks to this water source, I save a lot of operating costs, thereby increasing profits. I think that if utilized well, the water source from Dau Tieng Lake will be a great opportunity for those who want to stick with agriculture," said Mr. Tuan.

With abundant water resources from Dau Tieng Lake, Tay Ninh Province has a great opportunity to become a high-tech agricultural center of the Southeast. Effectively exploiting water resources from Dau Tieng Lake not only helps solve the problems of drought and saltwater intrusion but also promotes sustainable agricultural production, increases product value and contributes to the sustainable economic development of the region./.

With a water surface area of up to 270km² and a capacity of more than 1.58 billion m³ of fresh water, Dau Tieng Lake plays a particularly important role in providing water for agricultural production. The canal system is more than 2,000km long, leading water from the lake to agricultural lands, helping to irrigate more than 100,000 hectares of cultivated land each year.

Yen Nhi - Nhat Mai

Source: https://baolongan.vn/cu-hich-kinh-te-tu-ho-dau-tieng-a199702.html