VN strengthens focus on high-tech agriculture
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More than 14 projects with a total investment of 452 billion dong (Bt663 million) have been granted licences in Ho Chi Minh City's Agricultural High-tech Park (AHTP) since 2004.
Covering 56 of the 88.2 hectares park, these projects have specialised in biotechnology, hydroponic cultivation, seed reproduction, preservation and processing, and horticulture.
Several modern technologies are being applied at the park.
“We are researching and will soon launch a vegetable production model with high productivity that affects 70 per cent savings in the use of fertilisers, pesticides and water,” said Huynh Doan Thong, director of the Chanh Phong Agriculture Co.
He said the model would also spend 50 per cent less on human labour.
Ho Chi Minh City is focusing on high-tech agriculture as a way of coping with rampant urbanisation, which is stealing an estimated 1,000 hectares of agricultural land each year.
“The city’s agriculture sector should be redesigned to follow new development trends in urban agricultural production,” said Duong Hoa Xo, director of the AHTP.
More importantly, the park is ready to transfer new agricultural technologies to organisations and individuals.
The AHTP will support new agricultural high-tech companies by creating the most favourable conditions for them to join the market. Companies will also receive financial support and technology assistance from the park.
“Qualified scientists and modern technology is one of HCM City’s strengths, therefore, the city will cooperate with other southern provinces to create a wide agricultural production area.
“The city will provide seeds, production technologies as well as post-harvest technology in preservation and processing,” said Le Minh Tri, deputy chairman of the municipal People's Committee.
