Hanoi is expected to have at least 62 out of 386 communes that become new-style rural areas this year, nearly double the 2013 figure.

A working group of the Steering Committee for the Programme 02-Ctr/TU on the development of agriculture and rural areas revealed the news during a conference to review four years of its activities in the outlying district of Ba Vi on December 17.

Beyond that, 165 communes set target of meeting 14-18 out of 19 criteria for new rural development, and 155 others satisfy 10-13 criteria.

A set of the above 19 criteria were defined under the National Target Program on New Rural Development which was approved in 2010, covering infrastructure, production, living standards, income and culture targets that localities have to meet.

In agriculture sector, the output value generated by more than 1ha farming land in Hanoi is estimated at 231 million VND (11,000 USD) as of late this year.

Cultivation and forestry make up 40.3 percent while animal husbandry and fisheries account for 56.5 percent, with services as the remaining.

Chairing the conference, Deputy permanent Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and head of the committee Nguyen Cong Soai praised the working group for counselling local authorities on a scheme to build new rural areas.

He asked the group to reconsider policies on farming land, mechanisation and vocational training for farmers.

The same day, the municipal Vietnam Women’s Union also convened a meeting to size up the four-year programme lasting next year.-VNA