The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has agreed to provide Vietnam with $420,650 to help develop green trade and increase incomes of rural poor people. The FAO-funded project will help the two provinces of Phu Tho and Nghe An develop techniques for growing mulberries for silk production, and rattan and bamboo for handicraft production. The project will involve socioeconomic data collection regarding gender and income of handicraft makers in some provinces and cities nationwide. Earlier, the FAO offered the Ministry nearly $500,000 to research diseases on prawns. (news.gov.vn July 31)
