The HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the agricultural land area in the city keeps decreasing year after year. In 2010-2015, 700 hectares of agricultural land was lost each year, while in 2015-2020 the figure was 1,000 hectares.

However, the good news is that the production value per hectare of agricultural land in HCM City has been increasing steadily. 

In 2015, one hectare of land brought revenue of VND375 million each year and in 2015-2020, the figure rose to VND500 million. Dinh Minh Hiep, director of the HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said HCM City strives for revenue of VND900 million or VND1 billion per hectare by 2030.

To reach that end, HCM City needs to develop an urban agriculture in association with high technology. The city will focus on developing modern science in agriculture and the use of high technologies in agricultural production is a must.

Hiep stressed that HCM City has to become a high-quality seedling and breeder production center which uses high technology to help increase added value for agricultural production. The production will not only satisfy demand of the city, but also will provide farm produce to the whole region and for export.

Hiep said that the presence of enterprises and cooperatives is necessary, together with state agencies in research and development of high-quality varieties.

The units joining the hi-tech agricultural production chain will enjoy preferential policies, get support in infrastructure, modern equipment and receive advice in project building.

Pham Dinh Dung, head of the HCM City Hi-tech Agricultural Zone Management Board, said developing agriculture with high technology is the major trend of the agriculture sector.

HCM City set up the country’s first high-technology agricultural zone in 2004 in the suburban district of Cu Chi and a biotechnology center in district 12, both of which are highly efficient.

Dung said the city will develop the agricultural production with high technology, accompanied by an eco-tourism space, thereby enhancing value and contributing to economic and social development.

The HCM City Hi-tech Agricultural Zone has been expanding its production scale in farming, animal husbandry and aquaculture.

Dau Thi Mai Lien, a respected expert, suggested that HCM City needs to become the center of the whole region, not just the center of the city. It needs to exploit the advantages of its geographical position which is near material growing areas and logistics centers, to boost farm exports to the world market.

Tran Chung