Central Highlands agriculture, trade fair 2015 opens hinh anh 1A performance to celebrate the opening of the 2015 Central Highlands Agriculture and Trade Fair. (Photo: baodaknong.org.vn)

Dak Nong (VNA) – The 2015 Central Highlands Agriculture and Trade Fair kicked off in Gia Nghia town in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on November 10.

The Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VFU) and the provincial People’s Committee organised the event under the theme “Agriculture, farmers and rural areas towards sustainable development” in response to the governmental campaign “Vietnamese use Vietnamese goods”.

It serves as a trade promotion event to bridge the gap between businesses and consumers and give firms the opportunity to seek out partnerships.

This year’s fair features nearly 380 pavilions from 250 businesses and organisations that display a wide range of farming products, plants and livestock for breeding, agricultural equipment, the latest technology and products from craft villages.

In addition, a cuisine fair, beer festival, and workshops and discussion on agricultural technique consultancy are also being held as part of the event, which runs through November 16.

The Central Highlands comprises five provinces – Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Kon Tum – that are home to more than 5.5 million people. Nearly half of the population are from ethnic minority groups, including the Bahnar, Jrai, Ede and Sedang.

Agriculture is the main pillar of the region’s economy, accounting for 46.33 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012.

The region is renowned for its large areas of industrial crops, including coffee, cashews, pepper and rubber.-VNA
VNA