RIC holds groundbreaking ceremony for agricultural water supply system

Delegates attending the Groundbreaking Ceremony

Attending the ceremony was Dr.Sc. Phan Xuan Dung, President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), representatives from the office of people committee, affiliated departments, and scientific/technological organizations in Son La Province, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Son La Union of Associations, and leaders of Van Ho District and Song Khua Commune.

Un Village is home to 169 households (667 residents) from Thai, Muong, Kinh, and Mong ethnic groups, most of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihood. However, after Typhoon Yagi struck in 2024, the irrigation systems in the Ruong Ban, Ruong Ca, and Goc Vai areas were severely damaged by landslides and sediment buildup. At the same time, natural water sources such as Khua Stream and Un Stream have been dwindling, leaving more than 80 households with 14 hectares of farmland facing severe water shortages. This has significantly impacted both agricultural productivity and daily life.

In response to this situation, the project "Repairing Un Village's Agricultural Water Supply System" was launched with funding from Bread for the World and close collaboration between local authorities and social organizations. The initiative focuses on rehabilitating damaged irrigation channels to ensure a stable water supply for the village's agricultural activities. This project is part of a supplementary aid program addressing the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi (Typhoon No. 3, 2024) under the umbrella project "Improving Living Conditions for Ethnic Minority Communities in Van Ho District, Son La Province". With a total budget of €100,000 (~VND 2.9 billion), the program will construct and repair 15 typhoon-affected water facilities (both domestic and agricultural) across 8 villages in 4 communes: Suoi Bang, Song Khua, Chieng Yen, and Chieng Xuan.

Speaking at the ceremony, D.Sc. Phan Xuan Dung emphasized that this initiative serves as both a practical measure to help communities recover from natural disasters and a strategic step toward sustainable development and climate change adaptation in the region. He reaffirmed VUSTA's commitment to collaborating with organizations (like RIC, SRD) and local authorities in implementing rural development programs and improving livelihoods for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas.

Representing the RIC Center, Director Le Van Hai shared: “We expect this irrigation project will help improve livelihoods for Un Village residents, boost crop yields, ensure food security, and empower locals to take greater initiative in agricultural production."

Right after the groundbreaking ceremony, representatives from organizations, local authorities, and Un Village residents jointly participated in the traditional ground-breaking ritual, marking the start of construction in an atmosphere of optimism and confidence.

Upon completion, the project is expected to provide a stable irrigation supply for 14 hectares of the village’s farmland, helping improve livelihoods, boost incomes, and mitigate the effects of natural disasters and droughts in the years ahead.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the water system in Un Village holds not only immediate economic importance but also demonstrates the collaborative spirit and unity among organizations, local authorities, and residents in forging a more sustainable future for Son La’s highlands.