Accordingly, the State budget will fund 50% of costs for rice varieties. And each head of cattle which froze to death will be compensated with VND 1 million, in which 30% comes from the central reserve fund and 70% from local funds.

The PM asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to closely collaborate with local authorities in instructing farmers to protect crops and domestic animals from cold, ensuring the agricultural production.

As an effort to deal with harsh weather, on February 18, MARD urged provincial chairpersons to take measures to fight against the damaging cold, save cattle, and minimize damages.

As reported by the Department of Husbandry, up to February 17, 2008, 51,962 heads of domestic animals had died in the prolonging cold in North Việt Nam, mainly calves (75%) and old cattle (25%). The damage was estimated to be VND 170-180 billion.

By Xuân Phương