Da Nang set to build new High-tech farms

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

Da Nang (VNA) - The central city of Da Nang plans seven suburban communes in Hoa Vang district for high-tech farms on a total area of 540ha – a crucial step to boost high quality and safe agriculture.

Director the city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Phu Ban, said the plan is part of a strategy to develop Da Nang as a safe tourism destination, as well as a centre of nano-industry and world-class high-tech farms.

Ban said the city has allocated 130ha for safe vegetable farming and 310ha for aquaculture and livestock. “The city has recognised 12 farms with certifications of safety and quality, as well as brand names in La Huong and Tuy Loan villages. These farms’ products are eligible for sale at major supermarkets in the city,” Ban said.

The city has a total of 50 farms but these provide only 10 percent of demand for vegetables and farm produce. “We are unable to bring our products to supermarkets in the city because most farmers in the communes have yet to achieve the supermarkets’ required standards of packaging and quality,” said the head of Hoa Tien commune’s mushroom farm, Nguyen Thi Mai Hoang.

“Our farm has small productivity and limited investment. Our products are only supplied to local residents at rural markets and through vendors,” she said.

A representative of Co-op Mart said the supermarket has strict conditions for local farm produce regarding safety, hygiene, quality and registered labels.

According to the city, all supermarkets welcome "made-in Da Nang" products, but farmers in the city have yet to supply sufficient quality products, including vegetable, seafood and quarantined poultry. The city is supporting local farms in attaining the Vietnam Agriculture Practice (VietGAP) green label certificate.

According to the city, the introduction of high-tech farm centres could supply enough safe food for the city and tourists. Currently, major vegetables, roots and poultry are provided by businesses from the Central Highlands provinces of Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Quang Nam and northern provinces.

According to a report by the industry and trade department, the city of 950,000 consumes need145,000 tonnes of seafood and 140,000 tonnes of vegetables per year.

At a meeting earlier this year, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Dang Viet Dung, said only clear information and products with a recognised certificate of origin (CO) are on sale at wholesale markets and shopping centres in 2017.