Can Tho to grow high quality vegetables

Local farmers harvest vegetables in southern Can Tho City. Around 2,500 local households are expected to grow vegetables on a 750ha area under the city's plan by 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khuong

The plan aims to have 2,000-2,500 households growing vegetables in areas covering a total land mass of 750ha.

The households will be provided with farming techniques according to Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice standards (VietGAP), as well as post-harvest preservation techniques.

Under the plan, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta city will also develop 500ha land for fruit cultivation, that will also serve as eco-tourism sites.

By 2020, the city will also have areas specialising in growing flowers and ornamental trees in outlying urban areas in Ninh Kieu, Binh Thuy, Cai Rang and Phong Dien districts.

Under the plan they will also set up specialised farms for breeding fish, including 24ha for producing tra fish fry and 120ha for breeding tra fish.

The plan is expected to cost more than VND833 billion (US$39.7 million). Of the figure, VND53.6 billion will be from the city's budget and the rest will be from investors.

The plan will develop infrastructure, and build and upgrade irrigation systems in areas of specialised agriculture.

It is hoped that the plan will encourage enterprises to enter into contracts with farmers, in which the farmers grow produce specifically for the enterprises, thereby decreasing their risk and improving quality and value.

Tourism skills

It will also provide a chance for farmers to develop their tourism service skills when tourists visit the fruit orchards.

Nguyen Hong Dieu, director of the Can Tho Agriculture Extension Centre, said the centre will work with relevant agencies to implement the plan and local agriculture officials will provide training on advanced farming techniques for local farmers.

The city now has several specialised agricultural fields, including rice, vegetable and fruits. Of these, rice cultivation in the region currently stands at 235,370ha, up 16,780ha against 2008.

The city has developed many large-scale rice fields. This has helped strengthen co-operation among farmers, enterprises, scientists and the Government. The new model for large-scale rice fields has improved income for farmers.