The central province of Binh Dinh plans to have 2,500ha under sugarcane cultivation this year, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The area shrank from 3,498hectares in 2007 to 2,324hectares last year after sugarcane prices dipped below that of cassava, prompting many cane growers to switch crops, it said.
The provincial People's Committee has ordered relevant agencies to draft plans for expanding the area under the crop through 2020.
It has set up a steering committee for the purpose and a steering group each in An Nhon, Tay Son, Van Canh and Vinh Thanh districts, the major sugarcane cultivation areas.
The Binh Dinh Sugar Joint Stock Company (Bisuco) offers incentives to farmers to grow sugarcane, including higher prices and providing high-yield seeds and stems cuttings.
Besides, the department has recommended to relevant agencies to co-operate with Bisuco and local authorities to create models for growing new strains of sugarcane, improve farming techniques and to increase mechanisation to reduce costs.
It has also asked them to disseminate information about incentives offered to sugarcane farmers and new farming techniques and offer them reasonable prices for sugarcane.
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