The programme launching workshop in Ca Mau province on February 11 (Photo: VNA)Ca Mau (VNA) – A technical cooperation programme
was launched on February 11 to support the development of organic farming
systems and agro-ecotourism in small-scale communities in southern localities
of the Mekong Delta.
At the inception workshop in Ca Mau province,
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Su said the Mekong
Delta boasts huge potential for organic agriculture and ecotourism. However,
many localities in the region have yet to capitalise on their own advantages.
For example, Ca Mau has ideal climate, soil and
water resource conditions for farming organic rice and shrimp and diversifying
agricultural products while owning a typical culinary culture that is
favourable for tourism development.
The success of this programme will help boost
local socio-economic development and create stable and sustainable livelihoods
for smallholders in Ca Mau, he noted.
Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of
Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
expressed his hope that farmers will be the first beneficiaries of this
programme in Ca Mau. He asked the businesses involved to form strong
connections with farmers so that the programme will achieve the best results.
A representative of the UN Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) in Vietnam said developing organic farming in combination
with ecotourism is an effective model that is attractive to both domestic and
foreign visitors. It encourages farmers to apply sustainable and
environmentally friendly agricultural practices to create clean products and
serve ecotourism.
This is also considered a solution to curb the
migration from rural areas to urban places, help address environmental
pollution, and ensure food security, the representative said, adding that the
FAO office in Vietnam pledges to provide technical and strategy assistance to
ensure the programme’s success./.
VNA