(VOVworld) – The Southwestern region has advanced economic growth of nearly 9 percent in 2014 and raised per capita income to 2,000 USD per year.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh attended the conference (Photo: qdnd.vn)

At a conference to review operations of the Steering Committee for the Southwestern region this year, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said the region has achieved a rice output of 25 million tons and a seafood yield of 3 million tons. He hailed the region’s success in controlling market prices, assuring social security, and raising local people’s living standards. Mr. Ninh asked localities to expand the model of connecting farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises, and urged them to apply science and technology to increase productivity and deal with growing impacts of climate change in the Mekong river delta.

Conference participants worked out measures for future development of the region. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said agricultural development in the Mekong river delta will focus on improving the quality and quantity of production rather than expanding cultivation areas. A big-field model will be promoted to limit risks and increase farmers’ incomes.