Farmers harvest rice at the Vi Trung Commune, Vi Thuy District of southern Hau Giang Province. The government is completing policies to establish new model co-operatives in the Mekong Delta as well as high-tech applications in agricultural production and aquaculture that will meet international standards. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khuong

HCM City (Biz Hub) — The government is completing policies to establish new model co-operatives in the Mekong Delta as well as high-tech applications in agricultural production and aquaculture that will meet international standards.

"Mekong Delta provinces still face a situation of good harvests but low prices as well as limited infrastructure. They can't meet regional development requirements," said Deputy Primer Minister Vu Van Ninh, head of the Southwest Steering Committee at the meeting.

"However, there are many new production models that can bring high benefit to local residents thanks to technology," he added.

Ninh was speaking during a working visit of President Truong Tan Sang to the Southwest Steering Committee on Wednesday.

He said that the Mekong Delta region still faced barriers in regional connections, and that he would ask the Government to further adjust investment and budget distribution from the central government to regional localities.

Speaking at the meeting, President Truong Tan Sang said: "Mekong Delta has more potential for agricultural production but local authorities must actively prepare for international integration."

"New model production with a high proportion of technology application should be spread across the entire region under international standards," he added.

The President suggested that local authorities and farmers improve the quality rather than the quantity of rice.

"High-tech application in agricultural production is a must to ensure competitiveness and development in the context of global integration," he said.

Sang asked the Government and related authorities to funnel more FDI capital to the Mekong Delta to develop its infrastructure.

He also asked the Southwest Steering Committee and local authorities to ensure national defence, social security and order at land and sea borders with Cambodia. — VNS