Initial results on effect of climate change on crop water demand in Trung Ha-Suoi Hai irrigation system

Abstract

      Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Climate change impacts on many human activities in general and agricultural production in particular. An increase in temperature could also lead to an increase of crop water requirement, since excessive evaporation from soil, water and plant surfaces would occur. Therefore, a research on impact of climate change on crop water demand is very necessary. This paper introduces initial results of the assessment of impact of climate change on water requirement at a typical irrigation system in the Northern delta, Vietnam (Trung Ha - Suoi Hai irrigation system). Results showed that, for medium emission scenario (B2): by the year 2020, irrigation water demand of winter-spring rice, summer-autumn rice and maize is expected to further increase by 1,5%, 0,0% and 4,5% respectively relative to background period of 1980-1999; by the 2050, it will be 3,6%, 0,6% and 13,8% for winter-spring rice, summer-autumn rice and maize respectively. Finally, up to 2100, it will be 7,8%, 1,9% and 27,2% for winter-spring rice, summer-autumn rice and maize respectively.