PM suggests agriculture triangle for Lam Dong development model

Lam Dong (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has advised the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong province to pursue a development model that focuses on the three pillars of clean high-tech farming, farm produce processing, and agritourism.

He presented his advice at a meeting with local authorities on July 30, the second of its kind over the past two years.

As reported at the function, following the two-year implementation of a special mechanism directed by the PM’s decision, Lam Dong has made public a list of 27 realty investment projects as well as announced two new high-tech agricultural zones in Lac Duong and Duc Trong districts. It also secured eight memoranda of understanding on cooperation with businesses, investors, and credit institutions regarding investment in Da Lat city, with the total value of these pacts amounting to over 48 trillion VND (2.068 billion USD).

Participating Government officials were impressed with the local outcomes of high-tech agricultural development, which is at a high level nationwide.

They lauded the province’s establishment of major centres for its farm produce, such as flowers and vegetables. These centres have been developed based on connections with the business community in a bid to expand export markets.

Addressing the meeting, PM Phuc said with its economic scale accounting for 1.4 percent of the nation, Lam Dong is thriving as a growth pillar of the Central and Central Highlands region in terms of growth, with an annual income per capita of 55 million VND (2,370 USD).

He praised both the promotion of local tourism and agricultural development, which is based on value chains, In particular, he applauded the formation of safe farm produce chains and trademark buildings for local specialties such as flowers.

The Government leader said he believes that the province will fulfil its socio-economic development plan set for 2018.

He recommended Lam Dong encourage the growth of the processing industry to reduce raw material exports for better economic benefits.

PM Phuc asked the province to address its tourism shortcomings through better selection of investors and crackdowns on fake tourism products in Da Lat. Increased efforts to push up the duration of tourists’ stay and their spending are also needed, he noted.

He suggested Lam Dong perform better in forest protection and tackle the issue of traffic congestion and infrastructure degradation.   

The top official told local leaders to pay attention to business climate improvement, poverty reduction, and technological application.

He told Lam Dong should focus on boosting its educational standards to meet the nation’s, as well as increasing its rate of urbanisation and clean water use.

He suggested the province attract more investment via encouraging public-private partnership (PPP) deals towards green, effective and sustainable development.-VNA