Farmers work at their vegetable farm in HCM City’s Binh Chanh District

The sector struggled due to brown planthopper infestation, ragged stunt rice disease, foot-and-mouth disease and storm damages. Particularly, recent avian flu outbreaks have taken a significant toll on agricultural production.

A meeting held in HCM City yesterday reviewed last year’s problems and mapped out this year’s solutions.

"High supply and a slight increase in agro-produce prices alongside natural disasters contributed adversely to the city’s agricultural and rural development," said Director of HCM City’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department Le Phuoc Thao.

However, under the Agricultural Economic Restructuring Programme the agricultural sector adopted measures to minimise storm damage and curb the spread of bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease while helping farmers control pest infestation.

The value of the city’s agro-forestry-fisheries grew five per cent over 2005 to reach VND4.39 trillion (US$274.4 million) while crop cultivation alone rose an impressive 98.4 per cent.

In response to the bird flu, many farming households turned to raising cattle and other livestock. The cattle and swine populations have grown more than 20 per cent over 2005.

Gross aquaculture output grew 6.9 per cent as city authorities conducted regular impurity inspections on shrimp and antibiotic residue checks on seafood products.

City authorities also co-operated with seven neighbouring provinces to create a raw material zone specialising in high quality, high-value breeds and agricultural products that are environmentally friendly.

Source: VNS