Hanoi will be a pioneer in urban farming models, according to Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

He emphasized that the city's agricultural sector will focus on crop products, services and advanced technologies that meet urban development needs, tailored to the specific characteristics of urban and suburban areas.

This initiative is a key part of a broader strategy to revitalize and restructure Hanoi's agricultural sector to meet ambitious goals.

Safe vegetable area in Thuong Tin District. Photo: Ngoc Anh/The Hanoi Times

Aiming for ambitious milestones

The Hanoi Party Committee's Program No. 04-CTr/TU sets goals for restructuring the agricultural sector and boosting the rural economy, including achieving an annual growth rate of 2.5 to 3% in agricultural, forestry, and fishery production, with more than 70% of agricultural products using high technology. 

In addition to ensuring that each town and district has a center for marketing and selling handicrafts related to tourism, the city hopes to evaluate and categorize over 2,000 OCOP (One Commune, One Product Program) products. 

Hanoi also aims to recognize over 50 traditional villages and ensure over 80% of cooperatives operate successfully.

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized that in order to achieve these ambitious goals, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities are implementing a series of coordinated strategies, with many goals already achieved. 

He added that the annual growth in agriculture, forestry and fishery production has been consistently between 2.5% and 3% for the past three years. 

A number of high-tech and integrated agricultural models have taken shape, and organic farming is thriving. From 2021 to the end of June 2024, the city has evaluated 1,657 OCOP products, 343 short of its goal of 2,000, Dai said.

In 2024, districts and towns are gearing up to assess and classify 510 products, with the expectation that the number of OCOP products will exceed the goal a year ahead of schedule.

The department noted that the restructuring of agricultural production has played a key role in transforming production structures, boosting the agricultural economy, and enhancing the income and living standards of rural residents. 

In 2023, the average per capita income in rural areas rose to VND66 million (US$2,695), and is projected to reach VND75 million (US$3,060) in 2024. Many localities have successfully lifted families out of poverty.

However, the pace of agricultural transformation still lags behind what is needed for development. According to the Ministry, technological and scientific advances have not yet fully spurred agricultural and rural progress, and there has been little uptake of these improvements in production.

While the goal was to recognize 50 artisan villages, the number was only 24 by the end of 2023. Similarly, the target for cooperatives with effective operations is 80%, but by the end of the year, the figure would be only 65%.  

Advances in agricultural science and technology

Hydroponic vegetable farming model in Soc Son District. Photo: Lam Nguyen/The Hanoi Times

According to Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the city is poised to embrace innovative urban planning, facilitated by new provisions in the amended Capital Law and Land Law. 

He added that this approach will ensure rigorous land management and use, with a strong emphasis on developing value chains for key agricultural products. 

The city is committed to advancing research and applying cutting-edge science and technology in agricultural production, processing, and business, the Vice Chairman said.

The Hanoi Party Committee has outlined changes to improve the business environment. This includes creating attractive policies to entice large enterprises into agricultural production, especially in the deep processing sector. In addition, it will simplify business license to facilitate corporate operations.

The Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also emphasized that the city will continue to review its crop structure to maximize land efficiency. 

This includes reducing rice acreage while focusing on high-quality rice varieties and expanding vegetable and ornamental plant production, he added.

In addition, the city plans to grow more lucrative crops in rice-growing areas that face irrigation challenges. It will also steer livestock production toward high-quality breeding, restructuring herds and prioritizing the preservation of local varieties, Dai said.

Bui Van Sang, Chairman of Thanh Oai District, said the district is committed to developing high-tech agricultural models. "We are also stepping up efforts to classify and evaluate OCOP products, setting the stage for dynamic agricultural restructuring and a revitalized rural economy," he stressed.