The central province of Ninh Thuan has the largest grape growingarea in Vietnam, and grapevines will be a key plant for Ninh Thuan inthe coming years thanks to its high productivity and economic value, TheVoice of Vietnam reported.

Grapevines cover 3 percent of NinhThuan’s farming land and provide 13 percent of the province’s totalagricultural production value.

The local government has takensteps to encourage farmers to grow grapes along with other plants,establish big vineyards, and apply advanced technologies as part of theprovince’s new rural development.

Thanks to the localauthorities’ financial and technical support, Nguyen Van Moi from PhuocThuan commune, Ninh Phuoc district, who has been growing grapes for morethan 30 years, now owns big vineyards providing the market with grapesand grape products.

In addition to a 1.5 ha vineyard thatfollows Vietnam’s Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) standard, he has10 satellite vineyards. The “Ba Moi Grape” trademark has gained a firmfoothold in the market.

"VietGap represents the current trend ofthe grape industry. Once farmers apply the VietGap model, they will nolonger suffer from market fluctuations. Application of the VietGap modelprotects both consumers and producers," Moi told VOV.

He hasalso helped other local households involved in grape growing to applythe latest planting technologies and find stable outlets for theirproducts.

Farmers in Ninh Hai district have applied the VietGAP model in growing grapes since 2014.

Underthis model, they receive financial and technical support to ensureproduct quality prior to harvest. With this model, their vineyards’productivity has increased 25 percent, earning them a profit 30 percenthigher. This model also helps them cut costs by replacing fertilisersand pesticides with compost, which is more efficient and environmentallyfriendly.

To promote the high economic values of grapes, theNinh Thuan provincial People's Committee approved a plan on safe grapecultivation until 2020. It hopes to have a grape producing area of2,200ha with an annual yield of 40,000 tonnes by 2015, and 2,500 ha withan annual yield of 60,000 tonnes by 2020.

According to Chau Thang Long, Deputy Director of the provincialDepartment of Agriculture and Rural Development, to fulfill this target,the province will continue to expand grape cultivation areas, invest innew grape varieties, and improve all the old grapevine trellises.

The province will also boost trade promotion of Ninh Thuan grape products, Long said.-VNA