Conservation of fresh water resource on sand dunes in Thua Duc commune, Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province

Objectives

The project aims to demonstrate ways to build a pilot model of suitable farming practice for conservation and effective use of fresh water on coastal sand dunes of Thua Duc commune

Background

There are two sand dunes that contain high storage of fresh water in Thua Duc commune of Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province. However this resource is facing threat from many activities such as leveling of the dune for farming, uncontrolled use of water for vegetables farming, and using part of the sand dune as graveyard. Growing Penisetum purpuseum grass on sand dunes can be used as a pilot model to learn how efficient it is in vegetation sand dune for water recharge, as Penisetum purpuseum grass can grow fast and has high productivity for integrating with cow raising. 

Target beneficiaries

• 10 households will directly participate in models
• 200 households attend training classes on using water efficiently
• 20 people are trained on planting grass and raising cattle
• 20 people visit successful model in Thanh Phu district

Outputs

• Effective model of planting grass and raising cattle (10,000 m² of grass planted)
• Profit from cattle raising increase by 10% compared to growing vegetables
• Groundwater monitoring system, including 20 sites
• Five training classes for 200 people on fresh water managing and effective using
• One  training class on how to manage and effectively use fresh water resource for 20 people
• One study visit to Thanh Phu district for 20 people

Accomplishments and challenges

Accomplishments 

• Increased community awareness on water conservation. 
• Rise in awareness to local authorities regarding to conserving fresh water resource on sand dunes in Ben Tre province.
• Demonstration of best practices in water conservation in agriculture and hoticulture.

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

• Gender equality
• Climate change adaptation

Lessons Learned

• Using existing Women’ Union network is a strong advantage to communicate and mobilize community
• It is useful to organize and mobilize women groups and integrate with Women’s Union activities to share lesson learn and experiences
• A simple water measurement in the community can practically raise people awareness on water conservation. However, this still requires community involvement in taking measurement and analysis.