Ninh Binh’s eco-agriculture creates momentum for sustainable development
Promoting potential of eco-agriculture
Ninh Binh possesses many favourable conditions for developing eco-agriculture thanks to diverse natural advantages. Semi-mountainous and mountainous areas are suitable for fruit trees and medicinal herbs. Low-lying areas are suitable for growing high-quality rice combined with aquaculture. The delta develops high-tech agriculture with crops of economic value. Peri-urban areas can combine agriculture with ecotourism. Coastal areas have potential for sustainable aquaculture.
Rich natural resources such as Van Long wetland and Cuc Phuong forest are the foundation for agricultural models combining conservation and ecotourism.
However, besides the advantages, Ninh Binh’s agriculture also faces many challenges. Production scale is still small, the link between production and consumption is not tight, products lack clear brands and geographical indications, and application of science and technology is limited. To overcome these limitations, Ninh Binh is focusing on synchronous solutions to promote sustainable eco-agricultural development.
Accordingly, the province has promoted the link between production and consumption through cooperatives and production organisations along the value chain to create stable output for agricultural products.
At the same time, it focuses on building brands and geographical indications for typical products, enhancing value and competitiveness in the market.
Taking advantage of tourism potential to promote products is also of particular interest. Agricultural models combined with ecotourism not only bring unique experiences to tourists but are also an effective channel to introduce local agricultural products. Some typical models include the lotus pond in Hoa Lu, Tam Coc rice fields, and Ha Den vineyard.
In addition, Ninh Binh also encourages the application of science and technology in agricultural production, especially biotechnology and digital technology, to improve productivity, product quality and minimise environmental impact.
These efforts are gradually affirming the important position of eco-agriculture in the socio-economic development of the province.
Solutions for sustainable development
In recent years, Ninh Binh province has implemented many synchronous solutions for economic development associated with environmental protection, aiming for a low-carbon economic model and sustainable growth.
As the backbone of the economy, the agricultural sector is being oriented to develop into ecological, organic, multi-value agriculture, combined with other fields such as tourism and processing industry.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to strengthen connections between farmers, cooperatives and businesses. At the same time, the province builds brands for typical products such as organic rice, Kim Son clams, OCOP products from lotus, chrysanthemum, Cuc Phuong ginseng, and Cuc Phuong yellow flower tea.
Besides raw products, it is necessary to develop more deeply processed products such as lotus tea, grape juice, and foods made from organic rice to add value and meet the diverse needs of the market.
In addition, it is necessary to improve irrigation systems in low-lying areas to ensure water sources for organic farming and build modern reservoirs and canals in mountainous areas to proactively source water for irrigation.
Supporting the construction of cold storage and standard factories to preserve and process agricultural products is also very important to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
In addition, training farmers on organic and circular farming methods, emission reduction techniques and environmental protection needs to be focused.
Ninh Binh also supports businesses to participate more deeply in the value chain, from input supply, production techniques to product consumption, forming a close link between businesses and farmers.
Dinh Van Khiem, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that in addition to the measures being implemented by the agricultural sector currently, the sector is aiming to combine agriculture and tourism such as organising experiential tours at Tam Coc rice fields, Mua Cave lotus pond, Ha Den vineyard (Hoa Lu), or aquaculture areas, Van Lam embroidery village, and Bo Bat pottery to attract tourists and promote local products and specialties.
With synchronous solutions and clear development orientations, Ninh Binh’s eco-agriculture is gradually asserting its position, making an important contribution to the sustainable development of the province.
