Hanoi steps up hi-tech agricultural production

Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, Standing Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee made the statement at a conference on implementing 2018 key tasks on developing agriculture, building new-style rural areas, and improving farmers’ living conditions from 2016 – 2020, in Hanoi on January 5.

The city hopes to see a growth rate of 2-2.5% in agriculture production, particularly in vegetable, flower, fruit, tea production, livestock, and aquaculture with high technology application.

Additional 26 six communes and two more districts are expected to be recognised as new-style rural areas, raising the total districts receiving the status to six.

Other goals include 80 more public schools meeting the national standard, 55% of local people accessing urban clean water, 85.3% of the population joining health insurance, annual per capita income reaching VND41 million (US$1,800), 62% of agricultural labourers receiving training, and the poor household rate in rural areas standing at 2.11%.

In order to realise the targets, Hanoi needs to apply hi-technology in agricultural production while developing connection among stakeholders to fully explore the city’s potential and position.

Districts need to actively mobilise local resources for the new-style rural area building, as most of the funding for the programme is currently sourced from the State budget.

Nguyen Huy Dang, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the positive achievements in the city’s agricultural sector.

In 2017, the agro-forestry-fishery sector generated VND35.13 trillion (more than US$1.54 billion), up 2.33% from 2016, with 25% of the value being sourced from hi-tech agriculture production.

The poor household rate in the rural area fell to 2.57% in the year, from 3.65% in 2016.