Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has urged the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Tradeto design requirements and standards to connect production and exportin the cashew sector.

During his tour of thesouthern province of Binh Phuoc to visit a number of effectivecashew-growing farms in Bu Gia Map district on April 8, the Deputy PMunderscored the need to tap the cashew potential in the locality, one ofthe country’s key cashew-planting areas.

Hai askedthe agricultural research institute to conduct in-depth studies on thenew cashew grafting method of local farmers applied in the locality,saying it is necessary to improve the process and introduce cashewgrowers in other localities to the style.

Binh Phuoc boasts atotal cashew planting area of 178 hectares with an annual output ofover 200,000 tonnes. Local famers paying heed to selecting varieties andapplying advanced technologies in cultivation are generating highyields of about 3 tonnes per hectares.

Since 2003, a number of local families in Bu Gia Map district have used a new grafting method with elevated economic value.

With the aim to make the local cashew industry stronger and more sustainable, Binh Phuoc set up a steering committee.

Localauthorities also mapped out and ratified policies to support cashewgrowers to improve their cultivation models while arranging trainingcourses for local residents and facilitating access to capital topromote the sector’s development.-VNA