Rice production In the first 10 months of 2017, natural disasters caused damages worth an estimated VND36.51 trillion, or more than US$1.6 billion. The damage affected over 300,000 hectares of rice, vegetables and other crops. Immediately after the storms and floods stopped, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with other ministries to assist farmers in restoring production. As a result, almost 7.7 million hectares of rice were planted nationwide in 2017. Many areas in the central coastal region and the Central Highlands, which experienced a poor crop in 2016, have had a bumper crop in 2017, with their rice production and output increasing 9.7 percent and 10.6 percent over the same period of 2016, respectively. According to the Department of Crop Production, since early 2017, more than 7.7 million hectares of rice have been grown throughout the country (down 26,100ha compared to 2016), with an estimated yield of 5.55 tonnes per hectare (down 30kg) and estimated output of 42.84 million tonnes (down 356,000 tonnes compared to 2016). The cultivation sector’s production value has increase two percent over 2016, with cultivated areas of less efficient crops – rice, maize and short-term cash crops – decreasing by 26,100ha, 52,000ha and 3,000ha, respectively. Cultivated areas of efficient crops – fruit trees and vegetables – increased 50,000ha and 22,000ha. The production structure has been adjusted in accordance with market specifications to bring into full play advantages of each locality and the whole country. A number of key products have carved out niches… [Read full story]
At a press conference on 2017 socio-economic indexes in Hanoi on Wednesday, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported that the agro-forestry-fishery sector grew 2.9%, beating last year’s 1.36%. The industrial and construction sector posted an 8% growth rate, and the service sector grew 7.44%. Exports rose more than 21% and imports increased nearly 21%. People’s living conditions generally improved. This year’s consumer price index rose 3.53%, within the government’s target. Duong Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the National Accounts System Department, said: “For the first time, Vietnam’s exports and imports reached 400 billion USD and household consumption increased 7.35%, contributing…... [read more]
Covering an area of 223 hectares, the VND1 trillion (US$45 million) Masan Nutri-Farm is the largest pig farm in the province. It is expected to employ 350 local labourers and contribute about VND1 trillion to the local GDP once it is operational.According to Masan Group Chairman Nguyen Dang Quang, the farm is designed to raise 240,000 pigs a year in line with the Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practices (VietGap).It is scheduled to become operational in the first quarter of 2017 and supply pork for the market one year later, he said.Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen…... [read more]
Each hectare offlowering fields is estimated to generate an average income between 300billion and billions VND for growers, as a matter of fact,high-quality flowers are chosen by many localities to facilitate croprotation, added the online newspaper. Le Viet Do, Head of theVan Quan Agricultural Service Co-operative, said that previously all 170hectares of farmland in the locality grew mainly vegetables and othercrops with a low economic value. Since 2012, the farmland has beenturned into an immense flower field thanks the project on high-qualityrose development. Apart from approximately 36 hectares ofhigh-quality roses from the Hanoi Agricultural Encouragement Centre,farmers in the locality have…... [read more]
Earthworm-fed pork is apparently more tasty and has higher protein content compared with commonly raised alternatives Earthworms in high demand We arrived in Nguyen Thi Lien’s earthworm-fed pig farm located in Tan Phu Village in Soc Son District’s Phu Cuong Commune on a day late last year and were surprised at the cleanliness of the farm. According to Lien, the pigsties were designed to be half opened to the outside so that the pigs can sun-bath and raisers only need to use minimal levels of pesticides. Moreover, the pigs seem to grow fast as they are fed by nearby farmed…... [read more]
The US$1.75 million project will sprawl 23 hectares in Huynh Ky Hamlet, Vinh Hai Commune, Vinh Chau District. Once operational, it will produce 3 – 4 billion juvenile shrimps. The project aims to provide shrimp to producers nationwide, said Tony Dang Quoc Tuan, Vice President of Director Board of the Viet – Uc Seafood Joint Stock Company, adding that it is also hoped to help build a Vietnam shrimp brand. Construction of the farm is set to start in April this year, helping Vinh Chau become a centre for supplying shrimp products and high-quality young shrimps in the Mekong Delta. The farm is…... [read more]