PM urges Viet Nam to be among the world’s top 15 most developed countries in agriculture

At the Conference reviewing activities in 2018 and planning for 2019 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Prime Minister emphasized the long-term goal of the agricultural sector to evoke the aspirations of the nation, striving to bring Viet Nam into the top 15 most developed countries in agriculture.

Evaluating the agricultural sector of 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the sector had achieved many outstanding results, with many highlights, new developments, spectacular breakthroughs, as well as excellent and comprehensive achievements. Last but not least, the people's lives had been improved drastically. And according to the Prime Minister, "this is the ultimate impact".

Thanks to the right direction in restructuring, a wide variety of large-scale products are now available in Viet Nam. As a result, the agricultural sector has made critical contribution to export, which exceeded the plan. Viet Nam ranks second in Southeast Asia in terms of agricultural exports. Along with that, the consumer market has been expanded. Many businesses and cooperatives, including large enterprises, have been consolidated and invested in agriculture. The good news is that 18 deep processing factories of agricultural products have been invested, built and put into operation.

“What we need to care about and have done an important part of the organization is domestic consumption. We have proactively built a safe food supply chain,” the Prime Minister said, citing data of 1,096 chains of more than 1,400 products. Many forums have been organized to promote agricultural products to the people. Many important agricultural regulations have been revised and issued. The Ministry has cut down 173 out of 345 business investment conditions (approximately 50%), in line with the Government's requirements.

Appreciating the efforts of the entire agricultural sector, the Prime Minister praised the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, headed by Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong, in providing drastic, specific, effective and timely instruction and recommendations, coordinating closely with provinces, cities and other ministries to provide prestigious and responsible direction.

In addition to the achieved results, the Prime Minister pointed out the shortcomings and weaknesses such as the large ratio of labor in the agriculture sector (about 38%), the uneven restructuring of agriculture in provinces, forms of production organization that have not met the requirements, high proportion of small household economy, big issues related to rural environment, delays in the disbursement of public investment capital, and high post-harvest loss.

Regarding the direction and tasks in the coming time, the Prime Minister emphasized the goal: The agricultural sector must evoke the aspirations of the nation, striving to bring Viet Nam into the top 15 most developed countries in agriculture. Especially agricultural product processing must enter the top 10 of the world. The Prime Minister urged Viet Nam to strive to become the world's leading center of wood and forest product processing and exporting, and a big shrimp producing country in the world. It is necessary to promote the stronger role of enterprises, associations and industries to bring enterprises to invest in agriculture. Attention must be given to training science and technology personnel for agriculture, agricultural management officials, officials knowledgeable about processing technology, food technology, clean agriculture, organic and/or high-tech agriculture ... The Prime Minister stated that agricultural growth must reach at least 3%, and export must reach about USD 42-43 billion.

Suggesting solutions to accomplish this goal, the Prime Minister stressed on the following priorities:

First, to have good legal institutions to abolish obsolete regulations for Viet Nam's agriculture to take a step forward.

Second, to promote stronger restructuring of the agricultural growth model and new rural development, including the development of national flagship products, key products at provincial level, and local key products.

Third, to do better market work, including supply and demand forecasting, developing new markets, and especially branding of agriculture products, from rice, shrimp, rice varieties to pangasius…

Fourth, to strengthen the application of science and technology, prioritize advanced technologies, biotechnology, especially the application of the achievements of the 4.0 Industry, artificial intelligence, big data, not to leave the agriculture sector outside the Industry 4.0.

Source: Chinhphu.vn