The VND20 trillion does not include the fund for capital construction, regular budget allocations and the expense for subsidization because of irrigation fee exemption.If approved, a scheme proposed by the General Department of Irrigation will be implemented from 2013 to 2020.

Irrigation systems of various scales have been developed nationwide, including over 900 irrigation works serving an area of 200 hectares or more and 110 large systems serving more than 2,000 hectares.

However, according to the General Department of Irrigation, the average efficiency of the irrigation works across the country is much lower than the designed capacity and the actual capacity over the area of irrigation.

Typical low-efficient irrigation systems are Nam Thach Han in Quang Tri, Ke Go in Ha Tinh, and Dong Tron in Quang Binh.

In addition, many irrigation systems have deteriorated. Therefore, the water quality is not guaranteed, leading to serious pollution in some areas.

For example, in the Mekong Delta, industrial and household wastewater, together with agricultural and aquacultural waste, are all discharged into rivers and canals, causing increasingly severe pollution.

Moreover, violations of irrigation work protection corridor are popular; sanctions are not strict enough and water and power use are inefficient.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang said the ultimate goal of the scheme is to improve the operational efficiency of the current irrigation works, prevent deterioration and ensure service quality and water use efficiency.

The General Department of Irrigation set a target to increase the irrigation efficiency to over 80%, increase the irrigated areas by 5% and save 10% of the irrigation water by 2020.

In addition, the scheme proposes increasing the budget for maintenance work, ensuring that the funds for repair and maintenance is not lower than 30% of the budget allocation to each organization in charge of irrigation work operation.

The scheme also suggests solidifying canals with an annual loan of VND2-2.5 trillion given to localities by the State. Moreover, the scheme estimates it will cost VND700 billion-VND1 trillion annually to guarantee reservoir safety.

* HCMC needs some VND8.3 trillion to improve and upgrade irrigation works in the next ten years, according to the city’s planning for irrigation from now to 2020, with a vision to 2030, announced on Monday.

The irrigation systems to be upgraded are Dong Canal and Hoc Mon-North Binh Chanh, demanding VND1.7 trillion and VND1.6 trillion respectively. In addition, the city will develop the water regulation reservoir Ben Muong-Lang The with a budget of VND2 trillion.

HCMC vice chairman Le Minh Tri said the total capital demand of VND8.3 trillion is quite high.

Therefore, he asked the municipal department of agriculture and rural development to call for investment in irrigation projects under the forms of BOT, BT and BOO. In return, investors will enjoy the benefits from the irrigation works in a definite time.

"Relying on the budget capital only without calling for investors, implementation of the planning will be slow. We only need to adopt a policy for investors to benefit from irrigation works, and if necessary, can prioritize stimulus loans for investors,” said Tri.

According to a report of the agriculture department delivered at a meeting on the irrigation planning on Monday, the planning divides the city into five areas, including Cu Chi, Thu Duc, Hoc Mon-North Binh Chanh, South Binh Chanh-Nha Be and Can Gio.

So far, HCMC has developed 25 irrigation works, supplying water for nearly 55,000 hectares of farmland, mostly in the outlying districts such as Cu Chi, Binh Chanh, Can Gio, District 12, Thu Duc, Go Vap and District 9.

In the coming time, the city will invest in an additional 20 irrigation projects to supply around 550 million cubic meters per year for agricultural production in 2025.

There are currently some 100,000 hectares for agriculture and aquaculture in HCMC, including nearly 400 hectares for agricultural production. Under the irrigation planning, the city will narrow down the area of rice farming to 3,200 hectares by 2020, and 2,100 hectares by 2030.