Gia Lai requested to develop hi-tech agro-forestry

Talking with provincial leaders on April 13, the Party leader pointed out to several advantages of the province, including a total area of over 15,500sq.m – the second largest locality of Vietnam, climate and basalt soil which are favourable for coffee, rubber and pepper plants.

These advantages are its potential and strengths, for both short and long terms, he affirmed, emphasising the importance of connection between the State, scientists, enterprises and farmers in bringing them into full play.

He asked Gia Lai to focus on new-style rural building, forest and eco-environment protection, and resident resettlement.

Attention should be paid to developing industry, tourism, education and human resources training, while maintaining cultural identities and changing out-of-date practices.

Party chief Trong also reminded the locality of thoroughly dealing with the land issue, well implementing social welfare policies and maintaining defence and security.

It is also necessary for the province to better Party and political system building, he stated, requiring extra efforts to put the Ayun irrigation project in Chu Se district into use in order to bring practical benefits to residents.

According to a report by Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Duong Van Trang, in 2016, Gia Lai enjoyed a GDP growth rate of 7.48 percent, with annual per capita income reaching VND38 million (US$1675.8).

As of March 31, the province planted 65,172 hectares of crops, exceeding the plan by 0.5 percent and up 12 percent year-on-year. 

By the end of 2016, the province’s forest coverage reached 46.2 percent.

The poverty rate decreased by 3.18 percent each year to stand at 16.55 percent in late 2016. Health insurance covered 82.3 percent of the local population.