20,000 m2 agricultural center abandoned

Thanh Hoa Rural Development Center has a total construction investment of nearly 27 billion VND but has been operating ineffectively and has been abandoned for many years.

Thanh Hoa Rural Development Center (now renamed Supply-Demand Connection Station and Agricultural Exhibition Fair) was built in 2009, invested by Hoang Hoa District People's Committee from funding from the specialized credit program JICA SPL, Japan.

Located on an area of nearly 20,000 m2, the project includes items such as a central building for displaying and selling products, seminars, training; warehouse and auxiliary areas. According to the original goal, this is a place to display, process, preserve agricultural products, and support the consumption of agricultural products.

The supply-demand connection station and the agricultural exhibition fair are abandoned. Photo: Le Hoang — The supply-demand connection station and the agricultural exhibition fair are abandoned. Photo: *Le Hoang*

The center started operating in 2011 but was ineffective, so three years later the province transferred it to the Rural Development Department - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Department established a management apparatus of 7 officers and employees to connect supply and demand between businesses and farmers in production and consumption of products.

In 2019, the Center changed its name to Supply and Demand Connection Station and Exhibition Fair, after merging with the Center for Consulting on Planning, Market and Rural Development Strategy, Thanh Hoa Agricultural Institute.

The 2,700-square-meter central building is always closed. Photo: Le Hoang — The 2,700-square-meter central building is always closed. Photo: *Le Hoang*

However, in recent times, this project has had no professional activities and is almost abandoned. The central building is closed, furniture is scattered on the floor, covered with dust. Some local people take advantage of the thousand-square-meter concrete yard to dry rice. The agricultural product display and introduction house near National Highway 1A is also empty; glass doors and brick floors are peeling and severely damaged.

The Institute of Agriculture explained that the center's ineffective operation was due to many items not being invested in and lacking synchronization; the location was quite far from the city and residential areas, so it was not suitable for organizing exhibitions and fairs.

The floor is damaged in many places. Photo: Le Hoang — The floor is damaged in many places. Photo: *Le Hoang*

On June 12, Mr. Le Chi Giang, Director of the Center for Consulting on Planning, Market and Rural Development Strategy, said that the Institute of Agriculture is developing a joint venture project with businesses to promote the functions of the Supply and Demand Connection Station and the Exhibition Fair. Currently, the draft project is being consulted with the sectors before being submitted to the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee for approval.