The northern province of Ha Nam has offered incentives for Japanese investment in hi-tech local agricultural production, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Mai Tien Dung has said.

During a reception on July 28 for a group from the Japanese Seibu Nousan Company who are visiting Vietnam to seek investment opportunities in the province, Dung said the locality has focused on improving infrastructure facilities such as roads and electricity and irrigation systems to facilitate Japanese investment.

As many as 56 hectares have been zoned off to grow the high-yield and high quality Japonica rice variety in the province, Dung said, adding that the traditional farming techniques have resulted in low productivity.

He urged the company to introduce advanced technologies in the production process to enhance the productivity and quality of the rice.

Director of Seibu Nousan Vietnam Akira Ichikawa hailed the local agricultural potential and business climate, especially incentives for Japanese investors.

He expressed his wish to grow the rice variety on 20 trial hectares with the application of technology and strict quality management procedures.

The company is also willing to transfer technology to the locality in a bid to raise the quality of local rice for domestic demand and export.

The Seibu Nousan Company, established 30 years ago, has developed 830 hectares of rice and other crops in Japan.

The company opened its branch in Vietnam early this year.-VNA