Robust agricultural growth in Mekong boost for economy

Agriculture has seen robust growth in the Mekong Delta in the last few years, contributing significantly to boosting local economic growth, a delegation of Party and Government officials touring the delta has said.

Ho Duc Viet, Politburo member and secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC), who headed the delegation that was visiting Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, and Long An provinces and Can Tho City, appreciated the efforts made by the authorities and farmers to develop agriculture, especially food grains production, to strengthen food security and rice exports.

Bac Lieu grew by 14.4 per cent in the 2001-2007 period with agriculture making up 53.8 per cent of its economy.

Local farmers practise advanced techniques and grow high-quality rice strains. Rice yield in 2007 was 5.8 tonnes per hectare, 10 per cent higher than the previous year. Agricultural output exceeded VND7 trillion (US$422 million).

Can Tho City has speeded up agricultural restructure with focus on boosting industry, handicrafts, and services.

But further efforts are needed to improve the living standards of farmers who have an annual average income of VND6.24 million.

Other provinces including Vinh Long and Long An have also implemented agricultural restructuring programmes, developed orchard farming, and applied advanced farming methods.

Farmers have benefited, earning an annual income of VND60—100 million per hectare, nearly double that of three years ago.

But a majority of farmers in the delta still face challenges like epidemic outbreaks, soaring input costs, unreliable marketing of farm produce, limited application of technology, and shortage of farm labour, capital, and infrastructure.

Local authorities have striven to overcome these challenges, investing in electricity and clean water supply, roads, schools, and health care in remote and disadvantaged communes.

Viet, who is also head of the PCC’s Organisation Commission, called on authorities to develop agriculture so that it would reach its potential and outline policies on land planning and administration.

Other measures that are vital for developing agriculture and rural areas and improving farmers’ living standards include further investment in rural infrastructure like irrigation works, roads, housing, and health care, and training of qualified staff for social and economic development, he said. (VNS)