This year, MARD and local authorities decided on a list of 120 big reservoirs that need to be overhauled as soon as possible.

The ministry has proposed that the Government provide an additional VND700 billion (US$43.7 million) to urgently overhaul these reservoirs.

Though the State annually earmarks nearly VND1 trillion (US$63 million) to upgrade irrigations works, Phat said VND1.5 trillion a year is needed to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters such as floods and droughts.

The ministry plans to build a new irrigation networks with the funding of Government bonds and Official Development Assistance (ODA), and will share consultancy with the Government on projects in flood-and drought-prone areas.

For the Mekong River Delta, the ministry has completed a proposal for the development of irrigation works in the 2006-2010 period.

Under the plan, the ministry will invest VND5,000 billion (US$312 million) to expand irrigation and drainage canals systems to prevent salinity in the drought season, and will also build more irrigation networks to support aquaculture.