Attracting Investment into Hi-tech and Sustainable Agriculture

Located in the southern key economic region, in addition to the strength of industrial development, seaports and tourism, hi-tech agriculture is also identified as one of the four pillars of economic development of Ba Ria - Vung Tau period 2020 - 2025. The province prioritizes investment in synchronous development of infrastructure, forming high-tech agricultural zones, promoting fast and sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas.

Great Potential

Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a province located in the Southeast region, with favorable natural conditions, climate and soil for agricultural development, especially high-tech agriculture. The province has invested in synchronous construction of infrastructure, irrigation, dikes and embankments, creating favorable conditions for irrigation to serve production and people's daily life.

 High-tech shrimp farming at Minh Phu - Loc An Aquaculture Co., Ltd (Dat Do district)

In addition, the province currently has 12 fishing ports capable of providing logistics services of about 360,000 tons/year; 08 shipbuilding and repairing mechanical facilities; anchorage areas to avoid storms. The province has also approved the project to establish a large fishery center in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province associated with the Southeast fishing grounds. The province is currently coordinating with the Department of Construction and Khai Hoan Group to implement the project.

Promoting these strengths, over the past time, the agricultural and rural areas of the province have continuously developed, making important contributions to the socio-economic development. The average growth rate in the period 2011-2020 was 3.35%/year. Production structure has shifted in a positive direction.

Along with that, scientific advances, especially high technologies, have been transferred and applied to production, contributing to improving productivity and production efficiency. Determining that high-tech agricultural development is a prerequisite, creating breakthroughs to help improve productivity, quality and value of agricultural products, in recent years, a number of cooperatives, businesses and households have invested and applied science and technology in production.

Currently, the province has established and initially established 07 high-tech agricultural zones in districts, towns and cities including: Chau Duc, Phu My, Ba Ria, Dat Do, Xuyen Moc with a total area of 5,910ha. There are 2 areas that have been recognized as high-tech production areas, namely Phuoc Hoi commune, Dat Do district, with an area of 253ha and a shrimp farming area of 303.5ha in Loc An commune, Dat Do district.

In addition, the pepper production area in Xuyen Moc district is completing the dossier to apply for the Certificate of recognition of the high-tech zone. Some remaining planning areas are being reviewed for suitability to carry out the approval and recognition procedures according to regulations.

The province has also attracted about 486 high-tech agriculture production area establishments: 344 cultivation establishments; 127 pig and poultry farms; 15 commercial aquaculture and seed production establishments.

Attracting businesses as the "nucleus" of development

Currently, Ba Ria - Vung Tau has 269 enterprises operating in the field of agriculture, creating jobs for 5,387 rural workers. Many businesses have cooperated with cooperatives and farmers to produce and consume products in chains on crops, livestock, or aquatic products.

In addition, the units are producing and trading profitably and are expanding their activities to other fields such as processing industry, agricultural services, etc., in order to synthesize resources and diversify products. Every year, enterprises contribute about 25% of the agricultural production value.

Some typical enterprises are 4K Farm Co., Ltd whose production according to the "4 no" process, combined with consumption with 217 greenhouses and Israel's advanced irrigation system; VinaHarris Vietnam Co., Ltd which has guided and certified 821 farmers, of which 673 households have been assessed to meet SAN standards in Chau Duc and Xuyen Moc.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau has issued many programs and projects to promote high-tech agriculture, especially the Project 04-DA/TU dated July 28, 2017 on agricultural development of high-tech agriculture in the province until 2020 and with a vision to 2025, attracting the attention of the whole society. Currently, the provincial agricultural sector is also coordinating with the consulting unit to develop integrated production plans in the provincial planning period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

In the coming time, in order to develop high-tech agricultural areas, the industry will continue to promote the application of science and technology, and mechanization. The province calls for investment and development on the basis of concentrated farming areas, encouraging investment in key products. The province also mobilizes focal organizations to register for certification of high-tech agricultural zones when all criteria are met.

In addition, to promote investment attraction, the province encourages, converts and accelerates land acquisition to implement high-tech agricultural production projects under Project 04/DA-TU in the period 2021-2025. At the same time, the province continues to invite businesses to invest in expanding the proposed pilot models with socialization funds, implementing public-private cooperation in developing high-tech agricultural production models.

The province also promotes trade promotion, expands consumption markets through fairs, exhibitions and conferences. It also supports building geographical indications, trademarks and advertising websites to promote high-tech agricultural products of the province.

With the motto "Enterprise is the locomotive in leading the value chain of agricultural production", the province is committed to creating all favorable and open conditions to attract investors and businesses. In addition, the province provides maximum support for administrative procedures, especially in terms of business registration, land planning, site clearance, and construction permits, hereby contributing to improving efficiency and competitiveness and developing the brand name of Vietnamese agricultural products in general and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in particular.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum