Enterprises face challenges with agricultural investmentThe Saigon Times Daily A farmer is seen working on a farm. Many enterprises operating in the agriculture sector have complained of experiencing difficulties in performing investment activities despite the HCMC authorities introducing programs and policies to encourage firms to invest in the sector – PHOTO: THANH HOA HCMC – Many enterprises operating in the agriculture sector have complained of experiencing difficulties in performing investment activities despite the HCMC authorities introducing programs and policies to encourage firms to invest in the sector. Speaking at a recent conference, Ha Thi Mong Ngoc from the Viet Mushroom Cooperative noted that the unit plans to expand mushroom processing technology for producing fish sauce, soy sauce and bouillon powder to prevent the wastage of mushrooms if they are yielded in large quantities during the rainy season. Ngoc wanted to know if the cooperative could … [Read more...] about Enterprises face challenges with agricultural investment
Honeydew melon nutrition facts
Farmers grow more honeydew melons by irrigation drip method
Viet Nam News TIỀN GIANG — Tiền Giang Province is growing more honeydew melons via a drip irrigation method and in membrane houses to raise farmers’ incomes, according to the province’s Department of Science and Technology. The department’s Centre for Biotechnology Application has helped local farmers who used traditional cultivation methods to shift to the high-tech method. Vương Thị Mỹ Thanh, deputy director of the centre, said the 500sq.m membrane house and an auto-drip irrigation system cost a total of VNĐ150 million (US$6,535). Four crops of honeydew melons are sold at an average price of VNĐ30,000 ($1.3) per kilogramme. Each 500sq.m of honeydew melons produces 1.5 tonnes per crop, earning a profit of VNĐ22.5 million ($980). Growers could produce about 30 tonnes of honeydew melons per hectare per crop, earning a profit of VNĐ450 million ($19,607) for each crop. Ngô Hữu … [Read more...] about Farmers grow more honeydew melons by irrigation drip method
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/6
VN garment sector to boost export growth The domestic textile and garment industry is expected to sustain growth in exports in the coming months, according to the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). Truong Van Cam, VITAS vice chairman and general secretary, said many textile and garment companies had signed contracts to produce export products in the third quarter of this year. Many Vietnamese garment firms had also sustained high growth this year in traditional markets such as the United States, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, and member-states of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Cam said a series of recently-signed free trade agreements (FTAs) was expected to boost the sector. Since 2001, Viet Nam had signed bilateral trade agreements with the US, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India, and joined the World Trade Organisation. However, global demand for textiles … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/6
An Giang’s infertile paddies grow other crops
The fields are mostly in mountainous areas, and thus far from irrigation sources or infertile. They grew soy bean, honeydew melon, corn, red chili, vegetables and other crops. Pham Cong Tao, one such farmer in Tan Chau district’s Phu Loc commune, grew oriental onion in his 4,000 sq.m field and earned a profit of around 80 million VND (3,500 USD) per crop. An Giang’s infertile paddies grow other crops The production cost of planting the onion is higher than rice, but the profits from it are four to six times higher than from rice, he said. Besides, the switch saves him plenty of water and he does not have to worry about drought, he said. His field is situated in an area of the commune earmarked for growing vegetables and other crops, which has good roads enabling easy transport of the produce. In any case, traders come to his farm to buy and harvest the oriental onion by themselves, he said. Many farmers in Phu Tan district’s Tan Trung commune are … [Read more...] about An Giang’s infertile paddies grow other crops
City district eyes urban farming
The outlying district of Hóc Môn in HCM City plans to focus on urban farming as part of the national “new-style rural area” programme in which it takes part. Vegetables in HCM City’s Hóc Môn District are planted under Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practice (VietGAP) standards. - VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh Lê Thanh Liêm, deputy chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said that urban farming could increase the income of local residents, which is an aim of the new rural area programme. Liêm spoke at a seminar in Hóc Môn District on Thursday (April 12) on the status of the district’s new rural areas and tasks for the rest of the year. Hóc Môn’s urban farming models are considered effective, including cultivation of honeydew melons, mushrooms and orchids in net houses, the farming of hydroponic vegetables and breeding of ornamental fish. Nguyễn Sĩ Phước, deputy … [Read more...] about City district eyes urban farming
Can Tho eyes development of high-tech farming in semi-urban areas
VietNamNet Bridge – Can Tho has launched a project to improve the efficiency of advanced farming models in semi-urban areas. Can Tho City has launched a programme to improve high-tech farming models in semi-urban areas. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liem Nguyen Ngoc He, director of the city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the advanced techniques include organic farming that does not require large areas of land and is environment-friendly. Such models help increase the green space in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta city and have potential for tourism development, he said. The programme would be implemented mostly in Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang districts, developing nine advanced models. The city plans to establish at least one new high-tech agricultural co-operative in every commune and ward that takes part in it. The co-operatives will receive assistance in achieving global or Vietnamese good agricultural practices (GAP) standards and introducing … [Read more...] about Can Tho eyes development of high-tech farming in semi-urban areas
Vietnam appreciates UN’s assistance in nutrition issue: PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes UN Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Gerda Verburg (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the United Nations’ assistance for Vietnam in implementing Millennium Development Goals, particularly those related to nutrition and health while receiving UN Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Gerda Verburg on January 31. PM Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always pay special attention to nutrition-related issues to improve stature, fitness and intelligence of Vietnamese people, thus helping increase the quality of human resources. Gerda Verburg, who is also Assistant to the UN Secretary-General, spoke highly of the fact that the Communist Party of Vietnam had issued a resolution and the Prime Minister promulgated a decree on nutrition, which show the attention and the vision of the country’s leaders to this issue. She said that nutrition … [Read more...] about Vietnam appreciates UN’s assistance in nutrition issue: PM
Report claims Vietnamese ’too short’
VietNamNet Bridge – In 2017, more than two million children in Vietnam were stunted and 1.2 million were underweight, according to a report by National Institute of Nutrition. In particular, the report said one in every six children under five years old was below normal height.One in every four children under five years old was also said to be underweight.Even more startling is the fact that about 5,000 children are said to die each year in Vietnam from ailments related to malnutrition.Meanwhile, the General Medical Association of Vietnam revealed at a scientific conference on stature last September that Vietnamese have a low average height compared to the rest of the world.The average height of Vietnamese men and women – 164.4 cm and 153.6 cm - is ranked 19th and 13th respectively among the shortest nations in the world.Dr. Truong Hong Son, deputy secretary of the Viet Nam Medical Association and director of the Viet Nam Institute of Applied Medical Sciences, said that in … [Read more...] about Report claims Vietnamese ’too short’
Saigonese turn to homegrown veggies for meals, Tet gifts
Spooked by unsafe greens sold at markets and supermarkets, more Saigonese are now growing their own vegetables at home for meals and giving as Tet presents. As tainted veggies posing serious health hazards to consumers are rife on the local market, including those imported from China, a rising number of residents in the southern metropolis have removed vegetables available there from their daily menus. They come up with a more cost-effective, fail-safe approach: growing their own veggies or getting agricultural specialists to tend to them in their rented areas or in their own gardens or terraces. The practice also serves as an eco-friendly, rewarding pastime, provides opportunities for family get-togethers and helps growers as well as their families, particularly children, better appreciate the fruits of their labor. More companies have thus begun to offer ‘package’ services, supplying their clients with high quality saplings, as well as counseling and training in … [Read more...] about Saigonese turn to homegrown veggies for meals, Tet gifts
To Serve Nutritional Needs Well
To Serve Nutritional Needs WellBy Quang TuanNestlé Nutrition, an affiliate of Nestlé Group specializing in nutritional products and services, plans to strengthen its offerings of tailor-made product and service solutions that meet the nutritional needs of customers all over the world and in Vietnam in particularThe recent visit by Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nutrition Richard Laube to Vietnam to meet the senior executives of Nestlé Vietnam Ltd. and to understand the market potential confirms Nestlé’s confidence in, and commitment to Vietnam despite the current tough economic climate.Supplying nutritional productsIn 2009, there was an overall decline in the infant formula market due to the difficult trading environment and the global economic crisis. And Nestlé faced a similar situation in this context. However, according to Laube, the group still had strong growth in other categories such as Growing Up Milk, and Health Care Nutrition driven by … [Read more...] about To Serve Nutritional Needs Well