(vasep.com.vn) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has approved the Decision on planning agricultural and rural sector in the Mekong Delta by 2020 with a vision towards 2030.
Accordingly, a key economic zone in the Mekong Delta, which includes Can Tho and An Giang, Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces, is established with modern and sustainable development and high adaptability to climate change.
By 2020, the Mekong Delta strives to bring the annual growth of 4.8 – 5.2 percent in agro-forestry and aquatic production value. The growth of agro sector is 3.7 – 4.2 percent, forestry sector rises 0.5 percent and fisheries sector up 7.5 – 8 percent.
Among total production value, agro products account for 56.2 percent, forestry products occupy 0.5 percent and the rest of 43.3 percent is aquatic products. The average per hectare productivity of agricultural production targets to gain VND140 – 150 million per year and aquaculture sector is VND260 - 270 million per hectare per year. By this time, rice and fish outputs planned to obtain 10.2 million MT and 1.8 million MT, respectively.
By 2030, the region aims to achieve the annual growth of 4.5 – 5 percent in agro-forestry-fisheries production in which the growth in agro production is expected to touch 3.3 – 3.8 percent, forestry rises 2 – 2.5 percent and fish products up 7.2 – 7.7 percent.
The region also hopes that by 2030, every 1 hectare of crop cultivation land will create VND240 - 250 million per year and every 1 hectare of aquaculture farm will create VND430 - 450 million. By the time, total rice output obtains 9.5 - 10 million MT and fish production is more than 2 million MT.
The authorities in the key economic zone in the Mekong Delta will limit the expansion of non-agricultural land from agricultural land. By 2020, agricultural land will be ensured to cover 1.41 million hectares. Of this space, rice cultivation will make up 787,000 hectares; 130,700 hectares of perennial plantation (fruit and coconut planting); 215,000 hectares of forest land and 259,300 hectares of aquaculture farms (12,100 hectares of freshwater fish breeding and 247,200 hectares of brackishwater fish farming); 80 hectares of salt production.
Local authorities will focus restructuring the region's agricultural production, give favorable conditions for farmers to increase the value of agro products, particularly rice. They also strengthen developing economic models to raise farmers' income.
Key products will be invested to develop their quality. The brand name and labels of key products will be promoted widely inside and outside the country with geographic indications. Key products like rice, pangasius, shrimp are given priority to develop. Besides, Phu Quoc fish sauce brand is developed.