A fair featuring nearly 300 booths on agriculture seeds was opened in Ho Chi Minh City on June 26 with the participation of 120 businesses from across the country.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Van Truc said the fair creates an opportunity for scientists and businesses to study new, high-yield and competitive strains suitable for the production conditions of each region.

Since 2000, HCM City has implemented a programme in the field, aiming to become one of the leading producers and suppliers of high-quality animal, crop and seafood varieties for cities and provinces nationwide.

Last year, local businesses created about 15,400 tonnes of seeds and 9.5 million flower varieties while supplying over 24,000 milk cow and 900,000 pig breeders.

The outcomes were attributed to the city’s investment in studying high-yield seeds for animals and plants, said Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan.

It is also key to improving productivity and quality and opening up new prospects for the city’s agriculture restructuring, he added.

The three-day fair is expected to promote the city’s farm produce and increase goods value for farmers.

It is also intended to reduce dependence on seed imports and improve competitiveness, especially as free trade pacts with foreign countries are implemented.-VNA