Agriculture an important pillar of economy says Vietnam’s PM
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Agriculture is an important pillar in building Vietnam’s independent and self-reliant economy associated with extensive and effective international integration, according to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The Government leader made the remarks while addressing the agricultural sector’s conference on reviewing tasks in 2022 and setting goals for 2023, held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Hanoi on January 13.
The PM said that in 2022, the agriculture and rural development sector has changed its mindset from “agricultural production” to developing an “agricultural economy”. This is an important factor to contribute to growth and the comprehensive and sustainable development of agriculture.
Production has been linked to the market with increased added value. The agricultural sector has nearly 9,000 products recognised as speciality in the One Commune One Product programme, an increase of nearly 3,000 products compared to 2021.
“The Government looks forward to seeing the agricultural sector to be stronger and develop more sustainably in 2023,” PM Chinh said.
Minister Le Minh Hoan reported that the sector has shown strong determination, made great efforts, carried out flexible and creative solutions, and reformed its mindset to overcome difficulties and challenges to achieve targets.
In 2022, the sector’s total value grew 3.36 per cent, the highest in many years. In particular, agriculture expanded 2.88 per cent, fisheries 4.43 per cent, and forestry 6.13 per cent. The forest coverage stood at over 42 per cent while the rate of new-style rural areas was more than 73 per cent.
Agro-forestry-fishery exports reached US$53.22 billion, up 9.3 per cent from a year earlier. That resulted in a trade surplus of over $8.5 billion, accounting for more than 75 per cent of Vietnam’s total trade surplus.
For 2023, the sector targets GDP growth of 3 per cent, agro-forestry-fishery export revenues of $54 billion, the rate of new-style rural areas at 78 per cent, and forest coverage stable at 42 per cent, Hoan said.
