"Mekong Delta provinces still face a situation of good harvests but low prices as well as limited infrastructure. They can't meet regional development requirements," said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, head of the Southwest Steering Committee at the meeting.
"However, there are many new production models that can bring high benefit to local residents thanks to technology," he added.
Ninh was speaking during a working visit of President Truong Tan Sang to the Southwest Steering Committee recently.
He said that the Mekong Delta region still faced barriers in regional connections, and that he would ask the Government to further adjust investment and budget distribution from the central government to regional localities.
Speaking at the meeting, President Truong Tan Sang said: "Mekong Delta has more potential for agricultural production but local authorities must actively prepare for international integration."
"New model production with a high proportion of technology application should be spread across the entire region under international standards," he added.
The President suggested that local authorities and farmers improve the quality rather than the quantity of rice.
"High-tech application in agricultural production is a must to ensure competitiveness and development in the context of global integration," he said.
According to the committee, the region has harvested 3.1 million tonnes or rice and 3.3 million tonnes of aquatic products since early this year.
It has raked in 10.9 billion USD from exports, contributed 71 trillion VND (3.22 billion USD) to the State budget and recognised 236 out of 260 communes as new-style rural areas.
Statistics show that over 62 percent of the Mekong Delta’s population is operating in the agro-forestry-aquaculture sector, which is a major livelihood for regional residents.
The Mekong Delta contributes roughly 50 percent of the country’s total food output and over 90 percent of rice exports every year. Aquaculture accounts for over 60 percent of output and 80 percent of export, while the livestock industry brings the country 1.5 to 2 billion USD per year.
VNA/VNP
