MARD adopts scheme to expand cultivation sector

Illustration photo

The scheme aims to increase productivity and income, to enhance quality and competition and to ensure national food security.

Crops would account for about 51% of land use, followed by industrial plants at 24%, fruit trees at 14.4% and vegetables at 9.7%.

The sector also strives to increase the value of production between 2 and 2.5% each year and to generate 49.5 million tons of rice and corn annually.

The sector is expected to reach an agricultural export turnover of US$22 billion by 2020.

Under the scheme, around 200,000 ha of land will be reclaimed for cultivation, half of which will be used for growing perennial plants, 60,000 ha for annual crops and the rest for rice.

The Department of Crop Production will be responsible for working with relevant agencies and localities to review and improve the development of each major crop across the country, including the processing and commercial stages./.