The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho will develop 75 areas specialising in vegetable cultivation between now and 2020.

The plan aims to have 2,000-2,500 households growing vegetables in areas covering a total land mass of 750ha.

The households will be provided with farming techniques according to Vietnamese Good Agriculture Practice standards (VietGAP), as well as post-harvest preservation techniques.

Under the plan, the city will also develop 500ha for fruit cultivation that will also serve as eco-tourism sites.

By 2020, the city will also have areas specialising in growing flowers and ornamental trees in Ninh Kieu, Binh Thuy, Cai Rang and Phong Dien districts.

Under the plan, the city will also set up specialised farms for breeding fish, including 24ha for producing tra fish fries and 120ha for breeding tra fish.

The plan is expected to cost more than 833 billion VND (39.7 million USD). Of the figure, 53.6 billion VND will be from the city's budget and the rest, from investors.

The plan will develop infrastructure, and build and upgrade irrigation systems in areas of specialised agriculture.

It is hoped that the plan will encourage enterprises to enter into contracts with farmers, in which the farmers produce specifically for the enterprises, thereby decreasing their risk and improving quality and value.

It will also provide a chance for farmers to develop their tourism service skills when tourists visit the fruit orchards.

Nguyen Hong Dieu, Director of the Can Tho Agriculture Extension Centre, said the centre will work with relevant agencies to implement the plan and local agriculture officials will provide training on advanced farming techniques for local farmers.

The city now has several specialised agricultural fields, including rice, vegetable and fruits. Of these, rice cultivation in the region currently stands at 235,370ha, up 16,780ha against 2008.

The city has developed many large-scale rice fields. This has helped strengthen cooperation among farmers, enterprises, scientists and the Government. The new model for large-scale rice fields has improved income for farmers.-VNA