Seafood News - Industry Events - Seafood Market

Vietnam News Agency    27/11/2004 09:07:01

The southern province of Tien Giang this year has established 281 farms, a 26 percent increase over last year or six-fold the figure in 2001.

As a result, the province now has 1,360 farms, including 323 farms for annual crops, 523 farms for perennial plants, 197 breeding farms, 310 aquaculture farms, and seven plantations.

These farms have grossed a total turnover of 217 billion VND this year and generated nearly 6,000 jobs.

Successful in their business, farm owners have contributed to local funds for infrastructure development, including rural road building, poverty alleviation, and economic restructuring.

However, they are still facing difficulties in expanding markets for their products at home and abroad, defining targets and strategic products for investment and production. They are still working as individuals and lack cooperation among themselves, and between farms and other economic establishments. They also lack

knowledge about related laws and State regulations, learning farming techniques as well as an understanding of environmental protection and trademark registration.

The province has devised concrete measures to develop the farm economy in the future, including a master plan on craft development, a policy to issue certificates for farms, and the implementation of four key economic programmes on rice, livestock, gardening and fisheries. Tien Giang will also complete infrastructure projects, encourage agro-forest-fishery production and technology transfer, and hold training courses, seminars and forums for farm owners