MARD said Wednesday it targeted to expand the clean vegetable cultivation area in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ha Tay, Bac Ninh anh Vinh Phuc from 8.4 percent at present to 80- 90 percent by 2010.

The six localities now have more than 186,000 hectares of vegetables, including nearly 16,000 hectares of safe vegetables.

To reach its goal the ministry had issued regulations on the production, management, managing, recognition and certification of safe vegetables, minister Cao Duc Phat told a meeting in Hanoi Wednesday.

MARD had also provided farmers with guidelines on planting organic vegetables and encouraged localities to cooperate to cultivate clean vegetables by utilizing advanced technology.

The ministry’s Plant Protection Department is currently implementing a project to help farmers plant safe vegetables meeting international standards in 28 cities and provinces across Vietnam, including six northern provinces.

Source: Vietnam News Agency – Translated by Thu Thuy