New compensation regulations issued   Farmers in the Mekong Delta struggled to grow rice during the dry season in 2016. (Photo:VNA)  Hanoi  - Aquaculture farmers directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics will receive compensation ​worth up to 60 million VND (2,600 USD) per hectare, according to Decree No 2 issued by the Government last week. The decree, to take effect from February 25, will regulate compensation forms and levels to help farmers recover production after being affected by natural disasters and epidemics, in accordance with Article 3 of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.   Vietnam is an agricultural country with 23 million farmers, more than the total number of farmers in 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership partner countries, according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat. Natural disasters that occurred in the country during the first half of 2016 damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of rice and vegetables, killing tens of thousands of cattle and poultry and incurring financial losses of some 16.9 billion VND (749 million USD). Support for agriculture and forestry losses are set at 30 million VND (1,300 USD) per hectare and 20 million VND (881 USD) per hectare respectively, according to the decree. For salt production, each hectare of salt field that is damaged by more than 70 percent will receive support of 1.5 million VND (66 USD); each hectare of salt field that is damaged between 30-70 percent will get support of 1 million VND (44 USD). The State will provide farmers with financial aid to purchase chemicals to destroy cattle and poultry that either suffer from disease or are being raised in areas affected by disease. In-kind supports are also available; however, each household will only benefit from one compensation policy that is most suitable to their conditions. Farmers will only receive compensation if their production activities are in accordance with the production plans and instructions of local authorities, and they have implemented all measures to prevent and respond to natural disasters and epidemics under the guidance and direction of specialised agencies and the authorities. Farmers must have either initial registrations for concentrated breeding and aquaculture that are certified by the communal People’s Committees, or quarantine certificates, to receive the compensation. Damage will only be approved for compensation if they occurred at the same time as natural disasters, as certified by local steering committees for natural disaster prevention and control, or in the period between the announcement of an epidemic’s start date and end date.-VNA