WB finances agricultural competitiveness project in 8 provinces

Lam Dong (VNA) - The World Bank has provided over 59.7 million USD to a project on
helping farmers in Vietnam 's eight central provinces sharpen their
competitive capacity.

The provinces include Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Lam
Dong, Dac Lac and Gia Lai.

At a ceremony to launch the project in the Central Highlands Lam Dong province on
April 27, the project Deputy Director Ton That Son Phong said farmers engaging in
small-sized agricultural production will be provided with marketing skills, new
farming techniques and assistance to set yp production groups and cooperation with
enterprises.

During the 2009-2013 period, in Lam Dong, the project plans to help 5,000 farmers
access new production methods, said a provincial representative.

The project is also expected to generate jobs for 15,000-20,000 labourers in the
province, especially poor ethnic women, he added.-Enditem