Science-technology transfer to Northwest urged

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has urged relevant ministries and agencies to enhance research capacity and transfer of scientific-technological application to develop agriculture and rural economy in the northwestern region.

Deputy PM Trong, who is also Head of the Northwest Steering Committee, stressed technologies on breeding, preservation and processing, and models on combination between production and business, at a meeting in Moc Chau Farm town, Moc Chau district, Son La province, on May 26.

The meeting on science-technology transfer and application, promoting agricultural development and rural economy in the northwestern region drew delegates from the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Lang Son and Dien Bien and the northern central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.

The northwestern region has accounted for a significant volume in the country’s total output of several agricultural products. It produces 70 percent of the country’s tea, 33.5 percent of soybeans, 45.7 percent of litchi and longan, 37.6 percent of maize and 58.2 percent of the buffalo heard.

The region registers an annual growth rate of agriculture-forestry-aquaculture value of 8 percent in comparison with the national rate of 5.5 percent.

But, the poverty rate in the region almost doubled the country’s rate. In 2008, the region’s rate was 30 percent.

According to reports presented at the meeting, 42 state scientific-technological projects, focusing on plant and animal varieties, farming technologies, plant protection measures and veterinary medicine, were carried out in the northwestern region over the past two years, improving labour productivity, product quality and farming effectiveness.

Tags: Vietnam technology