The transition from a single-sector, linear management model to a smart governance approach is becoming an urgent requirement to ensure water security for the South Central Coast and Central Highlands regions, including Dak Lak province.

Applying digital technologies in water resource management

Reality shows that Dak Lak is facing compounded pressure from increasingly extreme climate change and rapid economic growth. As an outcome, a strong shift is required from a water-exploitation mindset towards integrated water resource governance based on river basins alongside multi-purpose management, closely linked with the circular protection of upstream ecosystems, green energy development and sustainable agriculture. However, Dak Lak has yet to establish a smart governance model integrating water resources, environmental management, infrastructure operations combined with digital data systems.

In-field irrigation system supplying water for thousands of hectares of wet-rice cultivation in Krong Ana Commune.

Recognising this bottleneck, the province’s transformation orientation is focusing on comprehensive digitalisation of the entire governance process. Through the “Integrated Water Resources and Irrigation Management System” project built on a Big Data platform as well as implemented by the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation, data from 10,000 surface-water regulation facilities, 18,000 rural clean-water supply points along with 805 monitoring boreholes nationwide will be synchronously connected to form a unified “operating system”.

According to the National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation, this data system will enable authorities to provide real-time drought warnings, support timely water allocation and improve the effectiveness of drought coupled with saltwater intrusion response efforts.

Towards green irrigation development

The shift towards integrated governance requires modern measurement tools and monitoring systems instead of traditional manual methods. Dr. Le Thi Mai Van from the Institute of Water Resources Planning also pointed out that the current inevitable trend is the application of smart governance models built on four pillars: efficient together with circular use of water resources through water reuse; reduction of environmental pollution and emissions; smart operation based on digital platforms; together with multi-purpose exploitation. A pilot project for a “green irrigation” model integrated with a Digital Twin platform is expected to be implemented during the 2027-2029 period.

“Irrigation systems can no longer remain confined to the traditional linear function of water supply and drainage. They should be approached as a circular ecosystem managed through smart governance in order to optimise efficiency as well as reduce operational costs”, Dr. Le Thi Mai Van noted.

Application of smart irrigation technology in coffee plantations helping conserve water resources.

Dak Lak province is currently focusing on synchronously implementing solutions to improve management capacity, ensure water security and accelerate investment attraction in the environmental sector during the 2026-2030 period. PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van emphasised that regulating combined with balancing water resources is a core task in adapting to climate change. The province will prioritise development of green irrigation through modernisation of reservoir operation processes, increased water storage capacity and wider application of digital technologies in water-shortage warnings as well as water allocation management. Alongside these efforts, the province is pursuing sustainable economic development by calling for investment in 52 renewable energy along with environmental projects with total registered capital of 129.732 trillion VND.

Simultaneously, Dak Lak is restructuring crop patterns in line with water availability conditions, while applying water-saving irrigation technologies for coffee, pepper and fruit trees to reduce pressure on water exploitation during the dry season. The province is also promoting water reuse as well as improving water-use efficiency in industry, urban areas and tourism, alongside protecting upstream forests and strengthening control over water pollution sources.

Translated by HAI LOAN