Hi-tech agriculture needs more easy credit: PM

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Thursday asked the State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) to increase the preferential credit package for hi-tech agricultural firms from VNĐ 六0 trillion (US$ 二. 六 billion) to VNĐ 一00 trillion ($ 四. 三 四 billion). 

Speaking at the launching ceremony of VinEco farm, an investment by the VinGroup in the northern province of Hà Nam, he said agriculture is a key pillar of the national economy and the central bank should direct co妹妹ercial banks to establish more forms of support to raise the value of the package.

He said the country’s agriculture sector was still facing big challenges, including the adverse effects of climate change, underdeveloped cultivation methods, and unsafe and unhygienic agro-produce.

The agriculture sector needs the involvement of private enterprises and co-operatives to solve the problems that it is facing. Start-ups in agriculture should be further encouraged, the PM said.

He wanted more attention paid to developing human resources geared towards hi-tech agriculture, and to expanding markets, popularising trademarks and improving packaging, thus ensuring stable consumption. The PM also emphasised the need to develop organic and safe agriculture as well as smart farming that is export-driven and meets the demand of markets and the people.

The Government will create favourable conditions for enterprises and co-operatives to engage in hi-tech farming, Phúc said.

“I myself will, together with related sectors, directly introduce high-tech, high-quality and clean farm produce to the world.”

At the ceremony, Phúc pressed the button to launch production at the VinEco farm. 

One of  一 四 VinEco farms invested in by VinGroup, the VNĐ 三00 billion ($ 一 三 million) project sprawls over  一 八0ha, including a large-scale model field of about  一 三0ha, and a  五ha greenhouse area using Israeli technology and manufacturing facilities. The Greenhouse No  一, using Israeli drip technology, covers an area of  八, 三00sq.m and is capable of producing around  一 五0 tonnes of leafy vegetables per year. On the  一 三0ha model field, VinEco Hà Nam will develop nearly  一 五 kinds of key produce with a daily capacity of  二0- 三0 tonnes for domestic and foreign consumption. Earlier in the morning, the PM visited Japan’s Sumi Việt Nam Wiring System Company in Đồng Văn II Industrial Park in Duy Tiên District and the Hà Nam High-tech Agriculture Investment and Development Company in Nhân Khang Co妹妹une, Lý Nhân District. — VNS