Protecting fruit orchards during flood season

Proactive flood response

In early August, when water from river branches and canals began to rise, many communes such as Khanh Hung, Hau Thanh, Nhon Hoa Lap, etc., in Tay Ninh province entered the peak period of implementing flood response solutions.

This year, although the water level has not yet reached its peak as in previous years, the situation is still quite complicated. Just one heavy and prolonged rain can quickly cause the water to flood the orchards, especially the areas adjacent to the main canals and ditches.

In many orchards, this is also the stage when the plants are growing strongly or are ready for harvest. Just a few days of waterlogging can seriously reduce the yield and quality of the fruit. Therefore, more than a month ago, farmers reinforced the embankments, dredged drainage ditches, checked pumps, prepared fuel, etc. to protect the results of their production.

Mr. Duong Van Ca Tha's green-skinned pomelo garden (Ca Trot hamlet, Khanh Hung commune) is still green during the flood season
 Mr. Le Hoai (Huynh Tho hamlet, Hau Thanh commune) shared: “Living in Dong Thap Muoi, we have to face floods every year. To keep our gardens growing well, farmers proactively reinforce the dikes and prepare pumps to prevent flooding. If we wait until the water comes, it will be very difficult to handle.”

Mr. Hoai’s family grows many types of trees, of which durian is the main source of income. This is a valuable tree but is weak to waterlogging conditions. If the roots are submerged for just a few days, the tree can die or its growth will decline. Therefore, right from the beginning of the rainy season, he built high embankments and maintained the pump to be ready to operate at any time.

Also in Hau Thanh commune, Mr. Nguyen Van Chien chose to invest in a separate embankment to protect more than 0.7 hectares of Malay coconut trees, instead of depending on the common system. This model helps him control the water level in the garden better, reducing the risk of sudden floods.

Mr. Chien said: “I do it myself, it is quite expensive at first but I feel secure later. During the dry season, there is no need to pump; but when it rains heavily and the water rises, I pump it out immediately, without fear of the common pumping station being overloaded.”

In Nhon Hoa Lap commune, the system of half-dikes and centralized pumping stations has been effective, many orchards have avoided the risk of flooding.

Mr. Doan Van Hai (Bang Lang hamlet) happily said: "Thanks to the dike and pumping station, my jackfruit and durian gardens are still growing well, without worrying about water overflowing."

In the same hamlet, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dung focuses on using irrigation water and draining water properly. Mr. Dung said: “In the dike, I always prepare a pump so that when it rains, the water can drain quickly, avoiding flooding the jackfruit roots. In the dry season, I pump clean water from outside so that the trees can grow well and produce more delicious fruit.”

Large-scale gardeners in Khanh Hung commune are also proactive in coping with the storm and flood season. Mr. Duong Van Ca Tha (residing in Ca Trot hamlet), who has 19 hectares of fruit trees, said: "The surrounding dikes are fully reinforced, and the irrigation ditches are clear. When it rains heavily, there are pumps to immediately drain the water, ensuring the safety of the garden."

Government accompanies farmers

Local authorities have also increased inspection, supervision and guidance on flood prevention and control. Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Khanh Hung Commune, Le Quoc Bon, said: “We regularly inspect the dikes, remind people to reinforce weak sections; prepare plans for pumping and draining when heavy rains persist. Water level forecasts and warnings are also broadcast quickly via loudspeakers and Zalo groups so that farmers can respond promptly.”

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dung's jackfruit garden (residing in Bang Lang hamlet, Nhon Hoa Lap commune) is growing well thanks to focusing on using irrigation water and proper drainage

According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Planning, in 2025, floods in the Mekong River and the upper reaches of the Cuu Long River are rising rapidly, the flood peak in August at Tan Chau station could reach 3.2m.

In Tay Ninh, the peak flood of the main season can be nearly 3 meters in some areas, threatening more than 1,800 hectares of fruit trees in the protected area, especially when the high tide in late September and early October coincides with the big flood.

For long-term adaptation, the province has been implementing many synchronous solutions: upgrading the irrigation system, renovating flood control enclosures, encouraging high-rise garden models, intercropping flood-resistant crops, and applying sustainable farming techniques. In addition, a stable consumption network has been built to help people feel secure in production.

Close coordination between the government, technical agencies and farmers is the key to making these solutions effective. Maintaining dikes, pumps, drainage ditches, combined with rain and flood forecasting and scientific water resource management will create a “safe cycle”, both protecting the garden and improving resilience to climate change.

The flood season in Dong Thap Muoi will continue, but with the proactive and persistent spirit of farmers and the support of functional agencies, lush fruit ochards will continue to grow on low-lying land, giving sweet fruit seasons./.

By Thanh Tung - Translated by Lien Thanh

Source: https://baolongan.vn/bao-ve-vuon-cay-an-trai-trong-mua-lu-a200996.html