Models and solutions to promote socialization of investment in construction and management of small dams in the Central Highlands

ME. Nguyen Xuan Thinh, Prof.Dr.Tran Chi Trung

Summary: The Central Highlands is one of the most important agricultural production areas of the country with many key agricultural products for domestic consumption and exports. However, in recent years, this area has been experiencing frequent droughts due to limited irrigation infrastructure development. Thus the promotion of investments in and effective management of irrigation works, especially for small dams and reservoirs, which are the most dominant hydraulic works in the Central Highlands, is quite necessary to expand the irrigated area, minimize droughts and serveagricultural development in the Central Highlands.

This article will present, analyze and evaluate current small dam/reservoir management practices in the Central Highlands and propose some models and mechanisms as well as solutions to promote the socialization of small reservoir/dam investments and management in the Central Highlands and to effectively enforce the Law on Irrigation.