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PM approves master rubber plan
As many as 800,000ha will be devoted to rubber plantations with an annual latex production of 1.1 million tonnes by 2015 under a new plan approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The plan developing rubber cultivation to 2015 with a vision to 2020 will be based on market needs and on effectively exploiting the advantages of land and other natural resources in specific regions to ensure sustainable development, according to the Government.
Under the plan, an additional 70,000ha of rubber will be planted by 2010, raising the country’s total rubber area to 650,000ha and annual rubber latex output to 800,000 tonnes.
By 2015, the export value of rubber products is expected to reach US$1.8 billion.
Five years later, the country’s rubber cultivation area will be kept stable at 800,000ha while annual rubber latex output will increase to 1.2 million tonnes and the export value, to $2 billion, the plan envisages.
Rubber cultivation will be focused in five major regions - the southeast region, the Central Highlands region, the southern central coastal region, the northern central region and northwest provinces.
The Central Highlands will grow an additional 95,000-100,000ha of rubber, becoming the region with the largest new rubber plantations.
The southeast region, which accounts for the country’s largest rubber cultivation area at present, will plant an additional 25,000ha.
Total investment outlay for the plan is estimated at VND30 trillion ($1.76 billion).
Under the plan, the Government will continue to provide capital for research projects that will select and create new hybrid varieties of rubber.
It will also fund projects to import rubber varieties of high yield and quality, and supply enough seeds for nurseries to meet production demand. Enterprises will be encouraged to sign contracts with rubber growers to ensure stable consumption of latex.
The plan seeks to increase investment in latex processing facilities and production of rubber products in cultivation regions.
Trade promotion activities will be undertaken to expand export markets to boost sales of rubber products.
The Government will also encourage individuals and organisations to plant rubber, process latex and produce rubber products.
The Viet Nam Rubber Association has been advised to enhance its capacity to support and create favourable conditions for members as well as protect their legitimate rights.
VNS
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