Land use planning must ensure that urbanisation proceeds in line withthe sustainable development of agricultural production, says Minister ofNatural Resources and Environment, Nguyen Minh Quang.
Thedevelopment of rice production alongside the industrialisation andmodernisation of the country was vital for economic stability, Quangsaid.
"The conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural usemust leave at least 3.8 million hectares for rice cultivation by 2015,no matter what, to ensure national food security," he said.
Total land under rice cultivation was currently about 4.1 million hectares, according to a ministry report.
Under a proposal from localities around the country on conversion ofagricultural land, this would be reduced to about 3.6 million hectaresby 2020, a proposal that has met disapproval from State agencies.
Many localities were also found to have wasted land by withdrawingfertile agricultural land for industrial use and then allowing it to sitidle. Only about 60 per cent of the total area designated forindustrial zones was currently being used, while many localities werestill seeking to establish new industrial zones.
In addition,unreasonable allocation of land rights has been revealed in urban areas,with a low percentage of land designated for traffic infrastructure andpublic works, Quang said.
The exploitation of underground andvertical space was also needed for proper urban planning, aiming at landsavings as well as more comprehensive planning, he said.
Land useplanning needed to be the basis for implementing all Government landpolicies and make the most effective use and management of land, headded. Land use planning with simplified procedures should alsoencourage long-term investment from both domestic and foreignenterprises, he said. /.
Thedevelopment of rice production alongside the industrialisation andmodernisation of the country was vital for economic stability, Quangsaid.
"The conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural usemust leave at least 3.8 million hectares for rice cultivation by 2015,no matter what, to ensure national food security," he said.
Total land under rice cultivation was currently about 4.1 million hectares, according to a ministry report.
Under a proposal from localities around the country on conversion ofagricultural land, this would be reduced to about 3.6 million hectaresby 2020, a proposal that has met disapproval from State agencies.
Many localities were also found to have wasted land by withdrawingfertile agricultural land for industrial use and then allowing it to sitidle. Only about 60 per cent of the total area designated forindustrial zones was currently being used, while many localities werestill seeking to establish new industrial zones.
In addition,unreasonable allocation of land rights has been revealed in urban areas,with a low percentage of land designated for traffic infrastructure andpublic works, Quang said.
The exploitation of underground andvertical space was also needed for proper urban planning, aiming at landsavings as well as more comprehensive planning, he said.
Land useplanning needed to be the basis for implementing all Government landpolicies and make the most effective use and management of land, headded. Land use planning with simplified procedures should alsoencourage long-term investment from both domestic and foreignenterprises, he said. /.
