Measures sought to develop agriculture in northwestern region

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam held a seminar seeking ways to develop agriculture in the northwestern region on November 23 in Hanoi.

MARD Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh said that the northwestern region owns rich natural resources and land and diverse climate which are favouable conditions to develop agriculture, forestry and tourism.

However, the region has yet to bring into full play its advantages due to poor infrastructure and craggy terrain.

He emphasised the need for suitable inter-regional policies and mechanisms to develop the region’s economy sustainably, including issues related to food security, water resources, soil, and climate change.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick stated that Vietnam is among the leading countries in poverty reduction. However, the poverty rate remains high in the northwestern region. Therefore, the Australian Government has been making efforts to support the Vietnamese Government in this work.

Australia is designing a gender equality support programme worth 34 million AUD (25.9 million USD) to be carried out in Lao Cai and Son La provinces. The four-year programme will help strengthen women’s capacity of improving their livelihoods in agriculture and tourism.

Doanh stressed the necessity to give priority to studying measures to increase product quality and develop forest economy, including forest tourism and wood products to serve processing and export