Awaken the arid land, create a rural area...

Put into operation since 2002, the Ayun Ha irrigation project in Gia Lai province not only brings irrigation water to tens of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, but also brings opportunities to get rich, raise people's knowledge and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of households in the sunny and windy plateau.

From a dry “fire pan”, a large area in the west of Gia Lai has now become a fertile area with green rice fields, developed livestock farms, and agricultural product brands reaching far into the market. Behind this spectacular transformation is the shadow of a strategic irrigation project - Ayun Ha irrigation.

Ayun Ha - the source of life that revives an entire land

More than two decades ago, the southeastern districts of Gia Lai province (old) such as Phu Thien, Ayun Pa, Ia Pa, Krong Pa... were arid lands, hot all year round, poor soil, lacking water for production and daily life. The people here, mostly ethnic minorities such as Jrai, Ba Na and a part of Kinh people migrating from the northern provinces, lived on one rainy season crop, low efficiency, precarious life.

Ayun Ha irrigation project has a capacity of 253 million m³.

However, the turning point came in 2002 when the Ayun Ha irrigation project officially came into operation. With a water surface area of up to 37km² and a capacity of 253 million m³, the project not only provides a stable source of irrigation water for more than 13,500 hectares of rice fields but also supplies domestic water for tens of thousands of households. From here, a real revolution took place in the economic and social life of this land.

Mr. Rmah Dmeo, a Jrai farmer in RBai village, Phu Thien commune, shared: “Currently, rice cultivation is very convenient, not as difficult as before, irrigation water reaches the fields, and people work with modern machinery. In the past, there was only one rice crop, now there are two. Rice yield is nearly 8 tons per hectare.”

In fact, with a stable water source , people can not only grow two rice crops per year but also boldly mechanize production, use high-quality rice varieties, and gradually form large fields in a concentrated, specialized direction.

Not only stopping at rice, from the foundation of Ayun Ha irrigation, people have diversified production, forming specialized areas for sugarcane, fruit trees, and raising large livestock. In particular, the model of growing raw sugarcane has developed strongly, providing input for sugar processing factories in the area.

Ayun Ha Irrigation provides a stable source of irrigation water for more than 13,500 hectares of rice fields.

Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, a resident from Phu Tho who came to settle in Doan Ket village, Chu A Thai commune nearly 30 years ago, recalled: “In the past, the land was infertile and could only produce one crop during the rainy season. Since the Ayun Ha canal was built, rice has dominated the entire valley. My family has 2 hectares of rice fields, harvesting dozens of tons of rice each year. In the last winter-spring crop of 2024-2025, I harvested 35 tons. Life is stable, and my children are studying properly.”

The transformation is not only reflected in agricultural output but also in the quality of life. According to Mr. Pham Van Luong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chu A Thai commune, the Ayun Ha project has helped people fundamentally change their production thinking: "Since the Ayun Ha irrigation project was built, people have fundamentally changed from rain-dependent farming to specialized, intensive farming. This is an important premise for sustainable agricultural development, increasing income and contributing to fundamental poverty reduction."

Brand building, expanding development

Ayun Ha Irrigation not only irrigates the vast sugarcane, rice and fruit growing areas in the Southeast of Gia Lai Province, but also helps to germinate typical agricultural product brands. A typical example is the brand “Phu Thien Rice”, produced from rice fields irrigated by Ayun Ha Lake, which is now present in many provinces and cities across the country, and is highly appreciated by consumers for its quality and safety.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Council, Ral Lan Chung, said that the province is proposing that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment consider raising the level of the Ayun Ha dam to expand the irrigation area, especially in mountainous areas without water. "The province considers this an irrigation project that brings great benefits to the people. When the level of the dam is raised, the water source will serve irrigation for the entire area that has not been accessed for a long time, thereby helping to expand large specialized fields and modernize agriculture," Mr. Ral Lan Chung emphasized.

From the rice fields irrigated by Ayun Ha, typical agricultural brands have sprouted.

The development story of Ayun Ha is a vivid demonstration of the effectiveness of the Party and State's major policies and guidelines in investing in agricultural and rural infrastructure. Ayun Ha Irrigation is not only a technical project serving production but has become a symbol of sustainable development, of the spirit of innovation and overcoming difficulties of the people in the highlands.

With plans to expand irrigation areas, modernize canal systems, and apply digital technology in irrigation management and agricultural production, the Ayun Ha irrigation project is expected to continue to be a strategic driving force in rural economic development in Gia Lai in particular and the Central Highlands in general.

From the once parched fields, the gurgling sound of water from the Ayun Ha canal today has not only irrigated the fields but also the faith and aspirations of tens of thousands of households. The satisfied smiles, the spacious houses, the children going to school are living proof of a countryside that is “changing its skin” every day.

PHUC THANG

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/danh-thuc-vung-dat-kho-can-kien-tao-mot-vung-nong-thon-tru-phu-391811.html