Hanoi has set up special agricultural zones and coordinated with scientists and businesses to develop high-quality specialty crops and breeds to increase economic value.

Le Van Phuong, director of the Dong Cao Cooperative in Hanoi's Me Linh District, told the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) that this is the case of red grapefruit, a specialty crop grown in the capital's Dong Cao Village.

One of Hanoi's specialties is the Dong Cao red grapefruit. Photo: VGP

"The red grapefruit grown with the new technology and procedures has better quality and looks, which has led to increased demand during Tet [Lunar New Year]. Dong Cao Village has about 7.7 hectares of this type of fruit and produces about 8,000 grapefruits with high economic value, which has helped the farmers improve their lives," Phuong said.

Le Van Trang, deputy chairman of My Duc District People's Committee, told The Hanoi Times: "My Duc District has developed a 20-hectare organic rice growing area and a 300-hectare lotus growing area for tourism purposes in Huong Son and An Phu communes," Trang said.

According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the city currently has about 30 varieties of crops and livestock that have become famous brands and are included in the list of genetic resources to be preserved and developed. "This is a favourable condition for expanding production and output," Trang added.

Nguyen Hong Son, director of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said Hanoi is currently working with scientists and businesses to preserve and develop the Van Dinh duck species in Ung Hoa District, the Linh Chieu water spinach variety in Phuc Tho District, the Huong Pagoda spinach in My Duc District, Lang mint basil in Hanoi, and others.

"Hanoi is home to many research institutes, and the city encourages them to transfer high-quality and specialty seedlings to Hanoi's farmers," Son told The Hanoi Times.

At present, the city has intensified the application of high technology to improve productivity and reduce production costs. Over the past five years, the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences has carried out 47 research projects in coordination with Hanoi's departments, Son added.

By promoting the application of new science and technology, Hanoi has successfully restored and reproduced many specialty plant and animal species. This is the driving force behind the development of the capital's specialties to achieve high economic value.

Organic rice field in Dong Phu commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Dong Phu Organic Farming Cooperative

 In 2012, a group of farmers in Dong Phu commune, in the outskirts of Hanoi's Chuong My district, received support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to pilot organic rice production on 5 hectares. So far, the area has expanded to 90 hectares of special varieties such as Dai Thom (a Taiwanese rice strain), Japonica and others.

Trinh Thi Nguyet, director of the Dong Phu Organic Farming Cooperative, told The Hanoi Times that all cooperative members must follow the standard cultivation of high-quality seeds.

"Since 2019, Dong Phu Organic Agriculture Cooperative has been working with Green Path Vietnam Import-Export and Trading JSC to develop a special rice chain for export to the US, Japan and South Korea," Nguyet said.

According to Tran Thi Thu Hang, head of the Chuong My District Economic Department, the production of high-quality seeds has brought great economic efficiency, creating links from production to processing and distribution.

"In addition, production chains have applied good agricultural practices, namely VietGap and GlobalGap, to increase the value of local rice grains," Hang told The Hanoi Times.

Currently, Hanoi has more than 160,000 hectares of speciality rice production, with an annual output of over one million tonnes. Specialty and high-value rice accounts for more than 70% of the volume, and fragrant rice of all kinds makes up more than 53% of the city's rice production.

High-technology orchid cultivation in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi.Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

 "About 35% of the total value of the agricultural sector now comes from products produced with advanced technology," Chi told The Hanoi Times.

He added that Hanoi has also established several areas for safe vegetable production, high-quality rice cultivation, fruit farming, flower and ornamental plant production, and high-quality tea growing. The scale of agriculture has expanded significantly compared to 15 years ago, with 76 key livestock communes, 3,660 large-scale farms and 20 safe aquaculture areas contributing to this growth.

He suggested that Hanoi should prioritize the development of high-quality seeds and seedlings to supply other regions of the country.

The director also recommended that organic and high-tech farming models be explored and implemented with systematic planning and investment.