A farmer harvests tra fish in Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)Tien Giang (VNS/VNA) - Experts haveurged authorities in the Mekong Delta region to use cutting-edge technologiesto restructure the agricultural sector in the face of climate change.
Speaking at a conference held in Tien Giang provincelate last week, Dr. Nguyen Van Sanh of the Institute for Research andDevelopment of the Mekong Delta at Can Tho University, said the agriculturalsector was facing challenges due to degradation of natural resources and land,mostly caused by climate change.
Major agricultural products in the region suchas fisheries, fruit and rice face severe competition in both local and foreignmarkets.
Sanh said that biotechnology, new productiontechniques and hi-tech applications as well as new state policies to promotesustainable agriculture were all needed to restructure the agricultural sector.
He proposed setting up a network of scientistsin the field to promote the implementation of a 2017 Government resolution onsustainable development of the Mekong Delta and a separate Government decisionon agricultural restructuring.
He recommended setting up a regional informationand data centre in the Mekong Delta to facilitate the operation of the network.
He said it was essential to ensure watersecurity in response to climate change, and to help agricultural enterprisesimprove their value chains.
Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of the Instituteof Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, recommended thatthe Government develop incentives so that companies would invest in and usehi-tech in agricultural development.
He said the Government should increase publicinvestment but also encourage private investment in the field, including easyaccess to credit for research, application and transfer of science andtechnology in agriculture.
Huynh Van Thon, chairman and general director ofLoc Troi JSC in An Giang province, said it was important to apply hi-tech inbuilding value chains for efficient rice production.
He said that Loc Troi had applied high-tech,sustainable rice cultivation and production methods, including application ofmicrobiological technology to decompose straw after harvest to make fertiliser.
Advanced alternate watering technology had alsohelped reduce irrigation costs as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, hesaid.
Dr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Director of the SouthernFruit Institute, said that major achievements had been made in developinghigh-quality fruit tree varieties.
The institute has transferred many science andtechnology advances in plant cultivation and protection, and post-harvesttechnologies, to enterprises. Many of the new plant varieties recommended bythe institute have helped farmers produce more effectively, including reddragon fruit LD91, purple dragon fruit LD95 and seedless orange LD 6 varieties.
Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anhsaid it was of paramount importance to restructure agricultural production andapply science and technology to develop key agricultural products in responseto climate change.
Key agricultural products must be of highquality and meet international standards, he said.
The conference, organised by the Ministries ofScience and Technology and Agriculture and Rural Development, was attended byscientists and representatives from institutes, schools and businesses.-VNS/VNA
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