The northern province of Thai Nguyen has supported local farmers to build more than 50 large-scale centralised production models, as part of the 2014-2015 programme on building new-style rural areas.

The models, worth over 3.6 billion VND (169,200 USD), aim to help the beneficiaries create high-yield farm produce such as grain, vegetables, tea and red-flesh dragon fruit that meet the Vietnam Agriculture Practice (VietGAP) standards .

Local farmers have also registered for implementing 25 projects worth over 70 billion VND (3.3 million USD) utilising new cutting edge technology for cultivation.

Provincial authorities have prioritised investment into projects for products that are the locality’s strength and high economic value.

Latest statistics show that 90 percent of the local communes have upgraded their irrigation systems, while 70 percent improved their per capita average income, and 18 out of the 20 communes gained access to clean water.

Building infrastructure and public works, improving production capacity, protecting the landscape and environment, and promoting local traditions and cultural identities are among the criteria in building new-style rural areas initiated by the Government in 2010.-VNA