Hub for Mekong Delta agricultural development to be set up in Can Tho

Becoming the nucleus of modern agricultural economy

On July 11, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) held a conference to collect opinions for the project on building Mekong Delta Agricultural Development Hub. The even took place in Can Tho City. Accordingly, the project aimed to promote production, processing and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta to new height, aiming towards a modern and developed agricultural economy in which Can Tho City will play a role as a driving force for the region.

As planned, by 2025 Mekong Delta Agricultural Development Hub will be set up in Can Tho City. It will be a “one-stop, multi-service” center with the focus on production, processing and consumption of agricultural products. The construction of basic infrastructures to serve export including cold storage system, bonded warehouse, Inland container depot (ICD), air and ocean export logistics will be completed during this period.

Besides, it will be a place for applying advanced technologies in agriculture with the focus on in-depth processing of key agricultural and aquatic products, making it become a model of adopting digital technologies in consumption of agricultural products. In addition, the Hub will be divided into nuclear subdivisions related to in-depth processing, export, commodity exchange, auction and set up the non-tariff area for the region.

By 2030, the Hub is expected to become the nucleus of the modern agricultural economy of the Mekong Delta region, functioning as a connector that links production, processing and consumption of agricultural products in the region, playing the leading role in connecting other focal centers in the area. The construction of all functional subdivisions of the Hub on the expanded area will be completed as planned.

By 2050, the Hub is expected to become the nucleus of the airport city with the application of smart technologies, functioning as a focal point connecting agricultural producers, processors and consumers in the region, operating based on the application of smart technologies.

Deputy Minister of the MARD Tran Thanh Nam said the location of the Hub should be near the sea port to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, adding that so far, agricultural products have mainly been shipped by sea because of high air freight rates.

“It’s essential for the Mekong Delta to build a hub for production, processing and consumption of agricultural products. Accordingly, the Hub must be constructed and operated properly and correctly with the focus on seasonal agricultural products, raw material areas, logistics, connectivity and product quality,” Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said.

Connecting agricultural producers, processors and consumers in the Mekong Delta

According to the draft project on building Mekong Delta Agricultural Development Hub in Can Tho city”, the hub will connect enterprises in the region, luring investment in hi-tech agriculture in line with the orientation of developing organic agriculture, circular agriculture and digital agriculture in the Mekong Delta. It will also be a center that provides and transfers technologies, producing procedures to production bases across the region.

With the function of connecting processors, the Hub will attract investors and processing enterprises to invest in high-technologies to create added value. Especially, the enterprises, processing facilities and localities that link up with the Hub can take advantages of by-products and labour force from raw material-growing areas for pre-processing stage.

With the function of connecting consumers, the Hub eyes to link up with other focal centers in the Mekong Delta, working with them to organize and develop consumption channels, becoming a bridge to bring the Mekong Delta’s agricultural products to domestic and international markets; inviting technology suppliers to introduce digital solutions for export and domestic consumption.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City Duong Tan Hien said that the hub will be located near Can Tho International Airport and the western Ring Road, and about 4 kilometers from the nearest seaport.  

“In the near future, the place where the Hub is located will have a highway passing through. With connectivity in terms of traffic and transportation, the Hub will have a convenient location for both airways, highways and waterways,” said Duong Tan Hien.

Also, the leader of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City said although the Hub would operate in the same way as an industrial zone does its functions and duties would be related to production, processing and consumption of agricultural products.

“We only want to add some back-end services to the Hub so that it can better serve production, processing and consumption of agricultural products,” Duong Tan Hien added.

Mekong Delta Agricultural Development Hub in Can Tho City has five key duties, namely clearing the flows of goods over waterways, highways and airways; Implementing custom clearance according to the model of Inland Container Deport (ICD); Storing agricultural products with safe storage solutions including constructing and arranging cold storage system; Promoting the development of business community in the Mekong Delta; Advertising, marketing and building brand for the Mekong Delta agricultural products.