Saving water and energy in farming with AWD

Significant gains from alternate wetting and drying, as well as drip irrigation methods

Amid continuously rising input costs, particularly fuel and electricity, farmers in the Mekong Delta are facing mounting financial pressure. In response, many households have begun shifting their production mindset, moving away from heavy dependence on mechanical pumping toward water-saving practices and new techniques that reduce energy use and increase profits.

Nguyen Van Tam, a rice farmer in Chau Phu Commune, An Giang Province, said, “In the last crops, I had to pump water continuously, particularly during the summer-autumn crop, and fuel costs were quite high. Now, by applying alternate wetting and drying (AWD), I pump less frequently, save money, and the rice still grows well.”

According to Tam, closely monitoring water levels and pumping only when necessary can cut energy costs by 30-40%. His rice fields are no longer continuously flooded, which limits pest and disease pressure, resulting in less spending on chemicals.

In practice, simply changing water-use habits in rice fields has become an important “lever” helping farmers reduce dependence on fuel for pumping and save a considerable amount of money for their households.

Beyond rice production, drip irrigation systems are also delivering clear benefits in vegetable farming. In Hong Ngu commune, Dong Thap province, many cooperatives and farmer groups have boldly invested in modern drip irrigation technology.

“The old flood irrigation method using electric motors consumed large amounts of water, labor, and electricity. With drip irrigation, water is delivered directly to plant roots. Wastewater then passes through a filtration and sedimentation system and is reused to raise fish or irrigate vegetables again. Long Thuan Cooperative has been able to save approximately 50% of water and electricity over recent years,” said Duong Minh Sang, Director of Long Thuan Safe Vegetable Cooperative in Hong Ngu commune.

According to Sang, the initial investment may be high, but the long-term benefits are very clear, especially as climate change intensifies and water resources become increasingly scarce. Using drip irrigation systems also helps crops grow more evenly and improves product quality. This allows the cooperative to maintain stable supply contracts with supermarket chains in Dong Thap.

Integrated solutions under the 1MH rice scheme

As part of the plan toward 2030, Can Tho city plans to implement the One Million Hectare of Low-emission, High-quality Rice Project (1MH) across 64 key rice-growing communes and wards, covering 170,877 ha and involving 149,062 households, as well as 170 cooperatives and farmer groups.

During the 2026-2030 period, the scheme focuses on several key components, including irrigation infrastructure development, canal system upgrades, the use of green energy, and especially the adoption of alternate wetting and drying irrigation techniques.

Le Van Phuc, a farmer in Thoi Lai Commune (Can Tho city) who has participated in the one million hectare high-quality rice scheme for two years, said, “Thanks to AWD, I no longer keep water constantly in the field as before. I only pump to a certain level when the soil dries. Electricity costs have thus dropped significantly while yields remain stable.”

Pham Thi Minh Hieu, Head of the Can Tho Plant Production and Protection Sub-Department, said that applying sustainable farming practices such as the “1 Must, 5 Reductions”, the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards, and alternate wetting and drying helps farmers save water, electricity, and inputs while also improving rice value and meeting export market requirements.

Small changes in water and energy usage habits in agriculture can yield big results. The agricultural sector is currently encouraging farmers to adopt new science and technology to gradually adapt to changing conditions and minimize production costs. Reducing dependence on pumps and saving electricity and fuel not only lowers costs but also contributes to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable environment.