Climate-Resilient Farming Models Boost Farmers' Incomes in Kien Giang Province

Kien Giang, a coastal province in the Mekong Delta, has witnessed significant improvements in farmers' incomes due to the implementation of climate-adaptive farming models. The province has been heavily affected by climate change, drought, and saline intrusion, but farmers have adapted by shifting to more resilient crops such as coconuts, yams, and pineapples. The province has invested in irrigation infrastructure, promoted the application of advanced farming techniques, and developed linkages among stakeholders to stabilize markets for agricultural products.

Key Takeaways:

• Farmers in Kien Giang Province have shifted to growing coconuts, yams, and other short-term vegetables to enhance production efficiency, with many experiencing significant income boosts.
• Nguya ...n VAfn Minh, a pioneering farmer, converted his rice field and cajuput farm into a 6ha coconut farm, producing over 75,000 coconuts a year and generating a profit of more than VNA500 million ($19,600).
• Pineapple prices have remained stable at a relatively high level since 2023, ranging from VNA10,000 to VNA12,000 per fruit, and farmers have reported no yield reduction despite drought and saline intrusion.
• The Gia "ng Ria ng Bureau of Agriculture and Environment has developed various climate-adaptive farming models in the past 10 years, including pineapple, durian, and Thai jackfruit cultivation, as well as snakehead fish, yellow bighead catfish, and mud-free eel farming.
• These models offer farmers annual incomes between VNA100-200 million ($3,900-7,800), with some generating between VNA500 million and VNA1 billion ($19,500-39,000).
• Kien Giang has increased investment in irrigation systems to serve agricultural production in drought and saltwater intruded areas, with over 500ha of rice fields in Minh Hoa Commune equipped with smart insect monitoring and automatic water-saving pumping systems.
• The province has developed large-scale fields to secure raw material areas and respond to climate change, with the provincial Agricultural Extension Centre deploying the smart insect monitoring and automatic water-saving pumping systems across more than 500ha of rice fields.
• The province has developed various models of breeding aquatic species in mangrove forests to enhance farmers' incomes and protect forests, with over 4,500ha of coastal protective forests allocated to over 1,900 households.

Statistics:

• Over 75,000 coconuts are produced annually on a 6ha coconut farm, generating a profit of more than VNA500 million ($19,600).
• Pineapple prices range from VNA10,000 to VNA12,000 per fruit, with no yield reduction despite drought and saline intrusion.
• Farmers in Kien Giang Province experience annual incomes between VNA100-200 million ($3,900-7,800) from climate-adaptive farming models.
• Over 1,900 households in Kien Giang Province have been allocated coastal protective forests to protect and breed aquatic species.
• The province has invested in irrigation systems to serve agricultural production in drought and saltwater intruded areas.

Sources:

• "Kien Giang province develops sustainable farming models" - cited as no publication date available
• "Kien Giang Province: Developing Climate-Resilient Agriculture" - cited as no publication date available
• "Kien Giang invests in irrigation infrastructure to protect crops from drought and saltwater intrusion" - cited as no publication date available
• Interview with Nguya ...n VAfn Minh - cited as no publication date available
• Interview with Ainh Qua 'c Aoan - cited as no publication date available
• Interview with Le Ha -u Toan - cited as no publication date available