Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HA NOI — The Government has promised speedy funding for key irrigation projects planned by Dac Lac Province this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who visited the Central Highlands province earlier this week to look over its economic plans for the year, even said the Government would use funds earmarked for 2005 in case of a cash crunch.

Meanwhile, he wanted the province’s authorities to supply sufficient seedlings and other materials to farmers, especially in areas hit by prolonged drought.

The Dac Lac officials told Dung that the agricultural restructuring process has been showing positive signs in the last three months. Hybrid corn yield has increased with the province now accounting for 40 per cent of the country’s total production.

Dung reminded them of an important task to be completed by the end of next year: providing arable land and houses for all ethnic minorities living in the province.

"The Government will draft necessary policies to ensure that all minority peoples have accommodation and peace of mind to settle their lives," he said.

By the end of the year, he wanted at least 80 per cent of the Dac Lac ethnic population’s demand for land and housing met.

He also told the officials to ensure that Programme 154, which aims to provide houses on instalment payments to needy minority people, is executed on time and maintains quality.

The provincial authorities told Dung that by the end of March, more than 4,600ha forest land had been reclaimed and given to 6,500 ethnic families. Procedures to grant land use rights have been streamlined and made quicker, they said.

Irrigation projects

The Deputy PM visited the Buon Yong irrigation project in Cu M’gar District’s Ea K’Pam commune.

Once finished, the VND180 billion (US$11.4 million) project will supply water to irrigate 3000ha of farm land in Cu M’gar and Buon Don Districts.

Dung told the authorities to properly handle the resettlement of 100 households dislocated for the project.

Later, he visited another irrigation project, Ea Sup Thuong, on which the Government has spent VND500 billion ($31.6 million). The project is expected to irrigate 20,000ha.

Before ending his two-day visit on Tuesday, Dung visited the bishopric of Buon Ma Thuot and Protestant Pastor Y Sut at his home in Buon Ma Thuot city. — VNS