The southern central province of Binh Thuan has taken a number ofconcrete measures to facilitate the development of agricultural farms tofully tap the local potential for agricultural production, a localofficial said.

These efforts include providingincentives in land use rights, increasing access to loans, and applyingmore technology in farming. The province has planned training courses toimprove understanding and skills among farm owners.

According to Pham Huu Thu from the provincial Department ofAgricultural and Rural Development, around 700 farms engaging in bothcultivation and animal breeding have been counted in the province as ofMay this year.

The farms generated a combinedmore than 950 billion VND (44.4 million USD) in revenues in 2014,creating jobs for thousands of local residents.

The production model has contributed to restructuring agriculturalproduction and accelerating modern rural building in the province, Thuadded.

Farmer Lam Van Hien from northern HamThuan district earns hundreds of millions of VND per year from hisfive-ha farm, which grows fruits including mango and dragon fruit. Heraises chickens in the garden and breeds fish in a 30,000 sq. metrepond.

Official statistics show that Binh Thuan is enjoying average annual growth of 11.6 percent.

In 2014, its per capita income reached 1,656 USD, a 12.7-foldincrease from 1991. Domestic budget revenue totalled 4,000 billion VND(184.3 million USD) compared to 140 billion VND in 1993.-VNA