Ninh Thuan province plans to expand cultivation of grapes grown under Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGap). (Photo: VNA)
NinhThuan (VNS/VNA) - The south-central province of Ninh Thuan, thecountry’s largest grape producer, plans to expand cultivation of grapes grownunder Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGap) and link tourism tosustainable development.
Grapeshave long been a specialty of Ninh Thuan province. Besides sweet grapes, winegrapes are also planted in the central coastal locality. However, supplyhas yet to meet domestic demand, heard a seminar held as part of the Grape andWine Festival in Ninh Thuan from April 26 to May 2.
Hundredsof local cooperatives have joined the supply chain of wine grapes. However,supply has not met local demand.
NinhThuan is capable of growing 8,000 hectares of grapes, but the current totalarea of grape cultivation is around 1,200 hectares, with only 5 percent beingwine grapes. The province will expand the grape cultivation area to 2,000 ha in2025 and 3,000 ha in 2030.
Theprovince also plans to promote cultural values, famous landscapes and tourismproducts, and create a platform for tourism authorities and travel agents tomeet investors.
NinhThuan has favourable conditions to develop tourism, which has been shown overthe past five years through rising tourism revenue and the number of tourists,particularly during weekends and holidays.
Theprovince will continue to create a favourable investment environment, offeringspecial land rental prices, preferential taxes and streamlined investmentprocedures.
Theprovince also plans to create a large field for planting grapes which is setto become a tourist attraction.
Thelarge-scale grape field model is being expanded this year. Each locality hasits own model, but farmers in all areas will receive help to increase theirproductivity and find outlets.
Duringthe recent Grape and Wine Festival, the wine grape is promoted with a view toboosting the production of grape and grape products in the province, includingwine. The event drew 120,000 visitors, three times higher than the same timelast year.
Theprovince, the driest and hottest region in the country, is well known for itswhite sandy beaches and vast gardens of grapes, onions and hot peppers.
Lastyear, Ninh Thuan welcomed 2.19 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of15.3 percent. Tourism turnover reached 1.05 trillion VND (45 million USD), ayear-on-year increase of 18.9 percent.
Theprovince has 145 accommodation facilities with a total of 3,100 rooms.— VNS/VNA
