Hi-tech farm park opens in HCM City

The first phase of a hi-tech agricultural park opened for business April 22 in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Built on 88.17 ha in the district’s Pham Van Coi Commune at a cost of about VND152.6 billion ($8.03 million), the park will promote the transfer of technology, and research and training, according to the facility’s management board.

Nine investors have signed contracts with the park to rent a total of 44.65 hectares, or 80 percent of the total area for lease. The contracts are worth VND292 billion (US$15.4 million) in total, equaling about VND6.54 billion per hectare leased.

Of the nine investors signed up at the park, five have been granted investment certificates. Four of the five have already opened operations at the park, including Nhiet Doi Investment Joint Stock Company, Chanh Phong Agricultural Company, Viet Thuy Phat Clean Vegetable Company, and Viet Quoc Thinh Trading Company. The other four companies are awaiting certificates.

Tran Phuoc Dung, director the Park Management Board, said farmers at the park would apply the latest farming technology.

“We will put focus on essential research projects to help farmers to improve productivity and ensure food safety and hygiene to allow the farm produce to be marketed easily,” he said.

Providing a model of hi-tech agricultural production, the park will farmers help shift from traditional agriculture to hi-tech methods, according to a statement released by the board.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nguyen Trung Tin, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the park would help restructure the city’s agricultural sector and promote sustainable hi-tech agriculture, thereby contributing to the country’s industrialization and modernization.

He also asked that the park be expanded and that local governments and investors consider setting up other hi-tech parks to specialize in breeding and aquaculture.

VNN/SGGP

Tags: Vietnam agriculture, Vietnam hi-tech farm park