Rice, irrigation policy and the need for improved water management in Vietnam

The Vietnamese Government has made rice production a national priority. To this end it hasmade massive investments in irrigation throughout the country and pays most of the cost forirrigation activities. While this has increased farmer’s profits, it has removed the incentive forseeking greater water efficiency and created a raft of growing problems. Here, Le Viet Phuand Do Truong Phuong Lam discuss irrigation policy in Vietnam and why there is a need forimproved water management.