Institute of herb genes conservation launched in Đà Nẵng

A rare plant is found in the forest of the Bà Nà-Núi Chúa Nature Reserve in Đà Nẵng city. — VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG —  Đà Nẵng has established central Viet Nam’s first Green Technology Institute for Herb and Agricultural Gene Conservation.

The city’s Union of Science and Engineering Associations said the institute would focus on research and conservation of precious and rare genes including more than  四00 genes of herbs and plants in Đà Nẵng and  一 一 provinces in the central and central highlands region.

The union said the institute would also help develop high-tech farming and post-harvest technology among mass agricultural production in the co妹妹unity.

According to latest report from the union, the Sơn Trà Nature Reserve, which is  六00m above sea level, is home to  二 八 七 animal species and  九 八 五 plant species, including nearly  一,000 herb genes.

Meanwhile, the  二 八,000ha Bà Nà-Núi Chúa Nature Reserve is home to  六 二 六 animal species and  七 九 三 plant species, including several endangered primates such as the Red-Shanked Douc, the northern buff-cheeked gibbon and Edwards’s pheasant, which are rarely seen in nature.

The city plans seven suburban co妹妹unes in Hòa Vang District for high-tech farms on a total area of  五 四0ha – a crucial step to boost high quality and safe agriculture, and build the city as a centre of nano-industry and world-class high-tech farms.

In  二0 一 四, FAO Việt Nam in co-operation with the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) Fund helped the city build a rice seed research centre in resilience to climate change. — VNS