SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The Mekong, as one of the world's major rivers, has enormous potential in water resource development. Although the river can be developed to yield great benefits in the field of hydro-electricity generation and navigation improvement, it is the advantages that it provides for agriculture through flood control and irrigation which will make the greatest impact on the millions of people in the riparian countries of the Lower Basin (Khmer Republic, Laos, Thailand and Republic of Viet-Nam). In the face of rapid population increase, the maintenance and eventual increase in standards of living must be sought in terms of agricultural improvement and modernisation. The traditional agricultural economy is still dominated by the subsistence cultivation of paddy rice, characterised by very low and unreliable yields. Some diversification has occurred in agriculture in recent years, but this has taken place on the marginal uplands, and the real basis for future food and export crop production will remain largely with the land already under cultivation which is predominantly paddy fields in the flood plain and the valleys. Intensification of agriculture and crop diversification on the existing lowland provides a better basis for agricultural development in the Lower Basin, which in turn depends on irrigation and environmental control, through the harnessing of the tremendous water resources of the river. Recognising the importance of agricultural development and water control facilities, national planning policies have given special attention to these areas. However, as an international river, co-ordinated efforts will not only be inevitable but would also yield added benefits. In view of this fact, the Mekong Committee has played a very significant role. Although there are still outstanding problems In the political, technical and socio-economic situation, the progress to date has been substantial and it seems a sound basis for further development has been laid.