The Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center launched 12 tailored agricultural models across localities in 2024, focusing on the production of organic vegetables, flowers, and fruits under VietGAP standards, with an emphasis on high-tech applications.

The potato farming model implemented by the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center brings high economic value to farmers. Photo: VGP

Vu Thi Huong, Director of the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center, said that there are several successful models in need of replication, such as the VietGAP-certified high-quality rice production model.

"This model boosts economic efficiency by 10-20% over traditional rice farming methods, while producing safe rice, raising awareness among producers, and contributing to the development of sustainable agriculture," she said.

Besides, the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center has built a grapefruit-intensive farming model, which has been certified according to VietGAP. In particular, there is a certified Dien grapefruit zone which produces high yields of 20-40 tons of fruit per hectare. Dien grapefruit has a higher economic efficiency of 15-20% than that of traditional grapefruit cultivation.

In light of the results, Huong emphasized that to further expand agricultural extension models, the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center will establish links between producers and traders in 2025 to create a highly efficient concentrated agricultural production area.

The center will apply new scientific and technical advances to produce VietGAP vegetables, flowers, and fruits to create safe products. "The move aims to improve the farmers' production skills, form sustainable agriculture, and increase economic efficiency," Huong said.

The center will foster new  technological advances while introducing new crop varieties with high productivity and quality. At the same time, it will apply technical measures in production to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Hanoi's key agricultural products

According to Huong, flowers and ornamental plants help increase people's income, speed up the development of new-style rural areas, and accelerate Hanoi's urban development. 

The Hanoi Agricultural Extension Fund helps grow gerbera daisies in Tich Giang Commune, Phuc Tho District, Hanoi. Photo: Anh Ngoc/The Hanoi Times

The city has paid more attention to strengthening the link between production and consumption by offering support policies. Hanoi has recognized 11 traditional flower and ornamental plant villages, including Co Giao Village, Xam Xuyen Village, and Noi Thon Village in Thuong Tin District; Ha Loi, Lieu Tri, Dai Bai villages in Me Linh District; Phu Dong Village in Gia Lam District, Tay Tuu Flower Village in Bac Tu Liem District, kumquat growing village in Dong Anh District, Nhat Tan Flower Village and Tu Lien Kumquat Village in Tay Ho District.

"Under the city's program to increase the effectiveness of the new-style rural construction and agricultural restructuring in 2021-2025, the total area for flowers and ornamental plants is expected to increase by 8,500-9,000 hectares," Huong said.

The city also planned to plant more trees along streets and roads to achieve 8-10 square meters of green space per person. Hanoi will also support the flower and ornamental plant industry to make them key products in the local economy. In addition to developing planting area codes and traceability of origin, functional agencies will assess the cost of ornamental flowers and create a digital map of them.