As many as 40 new agro-forestry-fishery firms were established in Ho Chi Minh City in the first three months of 2020, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, revealed the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vegetable processing at Phuoc An cooperative in HCM City
(Photo: www.sggp.org.vn)

The latest addition has brought the number of businesses operating in the field to 1,722.

HCM City’s agricultural production value in the first quarter increased 4.3% year-on-year, according to the department.

This is a positive sign amid the complicated developments of COVID-19, as the local agricultural sector is exerting efforts to ensure supplies of essential food for locals.

In the reviewed period, HCM City-based firms exported about 490 tonnes of seeds, along with 10,000 honeysuckle trees.

They also shipped 5.21 million ornamental fish abroad, earning US$6.1 million.

Approximately 21.8 tonnes of vegetables with origin-tracing stamps are produced per day, accounting for 53.1% of the city’s total output.

The combined cultivation area meeting VietGAP standard is 11,313ha, or 60% of the city’s vegetable farms.