The federal government has committed $4.1 million to examine the impact of climate change on rice farming in Vietnam.
The project, led by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, will involve a geospatial biophysical impact and vulnerability assessment. It also includes plant breeding for improved resilience to salinity and submergence, development of integrated soil and nutrients, and water management options.
Nick Austin, chief executive of ACIAR, said the project would help both countries. Vietnam and Australia face similar challenges in terms of climate change.
“About seven million people, all who depend heavily on agriculture, are going to be significantly impacted by climate change. Our projects will target the needs of farmers, particularly in relation to poverty alleviation and food security at the individual farm level,” he said.
Researchers will look closely at the impact of climate change on rice-based farming, and the solutions that can help ease the challenges it poses. Some of these are increasing salinity, salt water intrusion, flooding, and changes in rain patterns and in water viability.
Austin also said ACIAR would be expanding its work in Vietnam to include a new agribusiness program.
The project, named Climate change affecting land use in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta: adaptation of rice-based crop systems, will begin in July.
