Turning towards a modern urban agriculture

The establishment of more and more urban agricultural models in Binh Duong has proved that provincial farmers have recognized the benefits brought by urban agriculture and the appropriate development in accordance with the new trend. Along with the strong urbanization process, provincial policies are also focusing on urban agricultural development in order to facilitate sustainable development of urban areas.

Urban agriculture brings high profits

In order for economic development to be in line with the industrialization, urbanization process, farmers in provincial urban areas have developed more suitable agricultural models, which occupy fewer areas but bring high economic efficiency. Among 10 urban agricultural groups in Binh Duong, there are 4 groups of livestock farming. Accordingly, apart from long-standing aquaculture group, there are newly developed breeding models of pigeons, crickets, birds nest, crocodiles, snakes, pythons... and other wild animals.

Binh Duong province is turning towards a modern urban agriculture. Image: Orchid growing model of Phan Thanh Long in Phu Chanh commune, Tan Uyen town

Currently, provincial urban areas have over 500 households investing in urban agricultural farming, especially in TDM City, Tan Uyen town, Thuan An town, Di An town, and Ben Cat town. The development of urban agricultural models has brought good results, higher income on land, simultaneously utilized labor force and urban land.

As a locality with a fast urbanization pace, Chanh Phu Hoa ward in Ben Cat town has shifted from rural agriculture to urban agriculture. Among these, the orchid planting model developed by Chanh Phu Hoa orchid cooperative group is one effective model. This model has opened up a new business direction with high profitability. In 2013, the cooperative group was established with 10 members, about 3 hectares for growing orchid, bringing an income of nearly 5 million VND / month / member. At present, the group own more than 5 hectares of land and obtain a revenue of more than 900 million VND / year. Thus, member’s life has been improved.

Phan Thanh Long, who succeeded in developing this model, shared: “I invested more than 700 million VND in seedlings and equipment on an area of ​​1.600m2. After 3 years, my garden has now over 100 orchid types. In addition to serving my passion, the garden has brought a high income to my family.”

With no need for large areas, no environmental pollution, but stable income to households, urban agricultural models will continue to receive priorities from the province.

Focusing on urban agriculture in southern province

Based on the requirements of the urbanization and industrialization process, PPC directed Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to realize urban agricultural developing project in provincial southern area till 2020.

Mai Hung Dung, Deputy Chairman of PPC, said urban agriculture must be developed on the basis of high-tech applications, heightening the value of land use, product competitiveness and environmental protection. Therefore, the project development must be in line with the overall socio-economic planning, land use planning, urban planning ... and meet all requirements of urban agriculture. At present, the project is collecting opinions for improvement and will be submitted to PPC.

According to the urban agricultural developing project in provincial southern area till 2020 presented by HCMC Institute of Agricultural Planning and Design at the last meeting, in the 2016-2020 period, agriculture in provincial southern area will be oriented towards urban agriculture, high-tech applications, contributing to the economic restructuring and effectively utilizing available resources in urban areas. In particular, models that are suitable to urban areas must be prioritized, such as: vegetables, ornamental things and plants, urban greenery and agricultural services ... Total production value of provincial southern area till 2020 is estimated at 3,783 billion VND; product value per 1 ha of cultivation land to reach 98 million VND; product value per 1 ha of aquaculture land to reach 1.6 billion VND.

To successfully perform this project, according to HCMC Institute of Agricultural Planning and Design, Binh Duong should perform synchronously solutions related to technical infrastructure, technical procedures, mechanisms and policies ... In particular, the solutions related to policy mechanisms, propaganda on urban agriculture, market expansion, human resources training and allocation… were interconnected and critical to the urban agriculture development towards increasing value, efficiency, high-tech applications, environmental protection and sustainable development.

When this project is approved, specific procedures and measures will be mapped out and require the joint hand of departments and sectors. In the coming time, urban agriculture will be developed in the province, contributing to the sustainable development of urban centers and the new development for the entire province.

Reported by Q.Nhien – Translated by Ngoc Huynh