A farmer uses a machine to transplant rice seedlings onto a paddy field in the Mekong Delta. Can Tho will construct three hi-tech agricultural zones in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho with a total investment of $44.1 million. — VNA/VNS Photo Kim Ha

CAN THO (Biz Hub) — The Mekong Delta province of Can Tho will construct three high-tech agricultural zones in Co Do and Thoi Lai districts, on a total investment of US$44.1 million.

Le Van Tam, the vice chairman of Can Tho City's People's Committee, said this at a meeting, held to discuss the implementation of high-technology application in agriculture, with departments and government agencies on June 9.

Tam noted that agriculture is a major sector in Can Tho and hi-tech application will generate more income for farmers. It has become an urgent task as well as an inevitable trend so that the city's agricultural products can be exported, he added.

Tam remarked that enterprises investing in hi-tech agricultural zones will get preferential treatment from the government and the province. They include lower import taxes, power and water supply, and waste management services, he said, adding that they will be given a partial or full expenditure of the national programme of high-tech development up to 2020.

The hi-tech agricultural zones will come into use by 2020, ensuring the provision of seedling and breeds for the Mekong Delta.

On a total investment of $7.9 million, the first zone will be developed on 20 hectares in Thoi Lai District's Thoi Thanh Commune. It will provide seedlings, freshwater fisheries, flower seeds, birds, bonsai, and fishes.

The second one will be built on an area of over 224 hectares in Co Do District's Thoi Hung Commune, on a total investment of $26 million. It will build a system to multiply and produce seedlings and breeds.

The last one will be located in Co Do District's Thanh Phu Commune. Developed on a total investment of $10.2 million on 100 hectares, it will multiple and produce some types of rice seeds and fresh water fisheries. — VNS