Facilitating high-tech agricultural development

At the 18^th session of Provincial People’s Council, PPC proposed the promulgation of agricultural accommodative policy towards urban agriculture, high-tech agriculture of Binh Duong province in the 2016- 2020 period. If this proposal were approved, this policy would create favorable conditions for this sector to flourish in the future.

Many breakthroughs

In recent years, the industrialization and urbanization process in Binh Duong has happened rapidly; economic structure has shifted towards industry - service increase and agriculture decrease. However, agriculture still played an important role in the socio-economic development. Agricultural sector itself also has a strong restructure. Accordingly, although the agricultural proportion has declined, its absolute value is increasing. Namely, the average production value per 1 ha of agricultural land reaches VND90 million, increasing 54% compared to 2010.

Urban agriculture, high-tech agriculture development is corresponding to agricultural restructuring objectives of Binh Duong province. Image: An orchid growing model of Bui Van Sang in Tan An ward, TDM City

Agricultural structure has shifted towards production of high-value goods. Besides, the province has paid much attention to agricultural restructure towards urban agriculture, high-tech agriculture. At present, provincial localities have implemented models of greenhouse vegetable production; automatic irrigation system, automatic spraying system using Israeli technology; information technology application in farm management, new materials technology… Thus, many agricultural models have gained high profits. Typically, the model of growing oranges, tangerines, grapefruit brought an annual earning of VND500 million to 1 billion/ha; growing orchids brought an annual earning of VND100-120 million/1,000m2…

However, according to experts, provincial agricultural sector still encounters many difficulties, for example, agricultural land is narrower, initial costs for scientific applications and new technologies are too high…

Waiting for a boost from policy

In order to remove difficulties for the agricultural sector, at the 18th session of the eighth Provincial People's Council, PPC proposed the promulgation of agricultural accommodative policy towards urban agriculture, high-tech agriculture of Binh Duong province in the 2016- 2020 period. If this proposal were approved, high-tech agricultural projects meeting requirements would be funded, supported in material facilities, loans, lands, science - technology, brand and market development…

According to the draft regulation on agricultural development towards urban agriculture, high-tech agriculture of Binh Duong province in the 2016- 2020 period, preferential lending interest rate would be equal to 40% minimum lending rates. Under-one-billion-VND projects could take out a maximum loan worth 90% project investment; over-one-million-VND projects could be granted a maximum loan of 80% project investment. Credit term is calculated based on production cycle of the approved project, but not later than 60 months / project.

The draft also stipulated credit limits that are applicable to enterprises, cooperative groups, cooperatives, households, farm owners, investors of scientific research activities... having production projects not causing environmental pollution and in accordance with provincial agricultural restructuring objectives. Besides, the development of specialty fruit orchards along Dong Nai and Saigon River integrated with ecotourism will be prioritized. Regarding urban agriculture, Binh Duong province will expand good models, develop specializing areas, simultaneously establish concentrated breeding areas with high-tech applications…

Reported by Q.Nhien – Translated by Ngoc Huynh