Demand on urban, industrial and service development make land fund for agricultural production become smaller. Therefore, investment in hi-tech agriculture has been focused by functional agencies and farmers in urban areas.

  at an orchid model.

Many models increase production value

At a meeting for farmer societies from the Southeastern provinces and cities, participants paid attention to urban agriculture to increase production value.

Lam Van Hoa, vice chairman of the provincial Farmer Society, said despite restriction on land fund, models of growing mushroom, orchid, ornamental plants and so on will bring high economic efficiency and make urban image more beautiful.

To help local farmers approach urban agriculture, technical transfer and application into production is very essential. Since the start of this year, the farmer societies at all levels have held 424 training classes, 98 seminars on animal husbandry and farming for nearly 23,000 farmers as well as organized 13 learning visits to effective production models inside and outside the province.

In addition, the society in cooperation with the local department of Science and Technology has mapped out computerization projects for farmers in the Northern districts-based farmers in a bid to help them update technical advances into production.

Examples of good farmers in production appear

Phan Minh Hoa, a farmer in Phu Loi ward successfully launched an agricultural model in serve for urban development. His orchid model brings a VND55-60mil/year income for his family. Or, apricot model of Nguyen Thanh Long in the same ward creates a fair income with about VND70-80mil per year.

However, development of the models has yet to match its efficiency. So, the number of farmers involving in the models remains low. To obtain success in the models, farmers must grasp demand on market and scientific advances. Therefore, the province needs sustainable policies for urban agricultural development.

To invest in hi-tech agricultural models, local farmers must spend much money, so many of them have yet to dare launching the models.

Some of them said that to develop urban agriculture, the province should offer incentive policies for farmers. More importantly, the province should build key programs to develop high quality models…

Reported by T.Thao – Translated by A.C