Using Geospatial Technology and Earth Observations to Monitor and Forecast Drought in Vietnam and Address Agricultural Productivity Impacts
Droughts are slow-onset disasters that trigger significant environmental impacts, including loss in agricultural productivity across the globe. The Lower Mekong region is no exception. Recently, Vietnam has been contending with droughts and resulting damages, especially in 2015 when it suffered heavy losses, especially in rice crop yields.
To better understand and plan for future droughts in the region, SERVIR-Mekong approached the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources (VAWR) to develop a drought monitoring service. Following several rounds of consultations incorporating SERVIR’s service planning approach, a wide range of stakeholders – including farmers and local government officials – provided feedback identifying the Ninh Thuan and Bin Thin provinces as the most promising pilot sites for testing the Regional Drought and Crop Yield Information Service (RDCYIS).
Farrukh Chishtie
