Rubber cultivation critical to development in northwest

Developing rubber cultivation in the northwestern region is a right direction of the Party and State that aims to make an economic breakthrough. It is expected to eliminate poverty, create jobs, protect the environment and ensure defence-security in the region, said Politburo member Nguyen Van Binh, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the committee’s Commission for Economic Affairs. 

Binh, who is also head of the Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region, also praised efforts by the authorities and people of Lai Chau and the Vietnam Rubber Group in expanding rubber plantation there. 

Northwestern provinces, including Lai Chau, own favourable conditions for cash crop production, such as large natural area, temperate climate and fertile land. The expansion of rubber farming there also looks to help residents displaced by hydropower projects to settle down, he added. 

He asked relevant ministries and central agencies to issue specific policies supporting rubber cultivation in Lai Chau and assist investors to tap into local agricultural and forestry potential. 

Binh told Lai Chau authorities and the Vietnam Rubber Group to encourage local residents to enter into contracts with the firm’s subsidiaries. Meanwhile, land that is unsuitable for rubber cultivation should be used for growing other plants to avoid wastefulness. 

Lai Chau province is now houses some 12,800ha of rubber trees invested by three companies, along with another 13,860ha owned by local people. Nearly 2,300 people, mostly ethnics, are working in rubber farming projects.