Vietnam is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of rice, but the livelihoods of some farmers are under threat.
Seawater intrusion has long been a problem in the lower Mekong Delta, where more than half of the country’s rice is grown. During the dry season, salt water can seep into fields and destroy crops. Sea level rise is believed to exacerbate the problem.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the government of Vietnam have launched a smartphone app, which monitors water salinity. The data helps rice farmers decide when to rinse their paddy fields with fresh water to protect their crops.
Jennifer Green video.
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