Problems associated with transfer of high-tech applications need to be solved to help promote the growth of the HCM City High-Tech Agricultural Park (HHAP), heard a seminar held in HCM City on August 15.

"Policies which attract agricultural and rural investors, especially in high-tech agriculture cultivation, must be completed, along with adjustment of policies of agricultural production co-operation," said Nguyen Hai An, director of the Park's Incubation Centre.

Dr. Nguyen Tan Binh and Dr. Huynh Thanh Dien, lecturers of Van Hien University, pointed out that transferring high-tech application faces hindrances, including the inability of farmers to use new technology, limited capital, and small land plots unsuited for high-tech applications.

"Enterprises are participating in high-tech agricultural research but they are not directly taking part in real production," Binh said.

To solve the problem, he suggested that public-private partnerships be established in high-tech agricultural research and development.

"Local authorities should promote research trends and develop agriculture as well as invite enterprises to take part from the very beginning. The work should not be done only by research institutes and universities," Dien said.

He also emphasises the important role of farmers in transferring new plantation technology and asked that they be trained often.

From now to 2020, the HHAP will include four regions, with the first the current location of 88ha in Pham Van Coi commune, Cu Chi District, which is focused on plantations.

Another 200ha will specialise in fresh pet-fish research, and 90ha will be allotted for marine research in Can Gio. The fourth will be in Binh Chanh District and will specialise in animal-feed research.

The park, which was set up in 2004, has gained achievements but it has been limited because of haphazard investment and a poor support system that could attract enterprises. In addition, products have not been very popular with customers.

There are 29 high-tech agriculture parks in the country.-VNA