Da Nang’s agriculture sector has been developing in the direction of urban, ecological and modern agriculture.

Facing with current difficulties and challenges, it is necessary for the city to implement synchronously many solutions and restructure the agricultural sector associated with the development of key products, thereby improving efficiency, creating breakthroughs in productivity and quality, and ensuring sustainable agricultural development.

Many urban agricultural products help bring economic efficiency and improve farmers' income. IN PHOTO: The model of planting seven-color bougainvillea is developed by farmers in Cam Le District. Photo: VAN HOANG

Many difficulties

According to the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, a rapid pace of urbanisation has resulted in a significant decrease in the total area of land for agricultural production in the city. In particular, the total area of land for agricultural production declines by 10-15% on average per year. However, during the 2016-2020 period, the growth rate of GRDP in agriculture sector was 3.1%/year.

Up to now, the whole city has 10.5ha of vegetables, 2.5ha of flowers in the specialised cultivation areas, and 20 organic paddy fields with an area of ​​345ha.

Also, the city has 40 ‘One Commune, One Product’ (OCOP) products. 17 of them are evaluated and classified as OCOP 4-star products, and the remaining 23 as 3-star products.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Thanh Hoa said that the situation of agricultural production in the city has still faced many difficulties due to factors such as soil and harsh weather. Besides, the labour source is limited, and product consumption linkage has not been effective because the quantity of goods is not much. The application of automation technology, information technology, biotechnology, mechanisation, and new materials is still modest.

According to Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Farmers’ Association Nguyen Van An, agricultural products produced by local farmers are still low in output, accounting for only 20-30% of people's demand. The city has seen an increasing decline in its toal area of land for agricultural production.

He, therefore, urban agricultural production to create quality, effective and safe products is a trend suitable for the city’s present conditions.

Solutions for urban agriculture development

Mr. Nguyen Van An also underscored the critical roles of the State, scientists, the business community, and farmers in promoting the sustainable development of agriculture, especially urban agriculture.

Accordingly, the State plays the role of issuing priority policies to support farmers, whilst scientists are in charge of transfering scientific and technical advances to create high quality varieties. The business community will provide active support in investment, production, trade connection, brand development. Farmers will be well trained and provided with related knowledge. In addition, it is necessary to build and replicate highly effective agricultural models to farmers citywide.

According to the Da Nang Centre for Fishery - Agriculture - Forestry Extension, the city's agricultural sector will continue to restructure agriculture in the direction of increasing added value, and developing sustainably in association with new rural construction.

The focus will be on restructuring public investment and public services in agriculture, and creating a favourable environment for the formation of agricultural value chains based on the advantages of each region and locality.

Importance will be attached to issuing mechanisms and policies to promote the extensive application of science and technology in agriculture, and developing forms of cooperation and linkage in production between farmers and farmers and enterprises.

Heed will be on building a favourable environment to attract investors from both home and abroad to invest in agriculture, and restructuring labour and rural economy.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Hoa underlined the need for the city to implement a number of solutions in terms of infrastructure investment planning, urban agricultural models, policies to appeal for investment into the development of high-tech agriculture, in order to develop sustainable urban agriculture.

Research and application of science and technology in production activities should be promoted towards environmentally friendly production technology models, organic production organisation, VietGAP, and application of biotechnology learn. In addition, more effective solutions on training and attracting human resources should be taken, added he.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG