Minister Le Minh Hoan: It is necessary to change the approach to food security, not only rice but also cereal products, vegetables, tubers, fruits...

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai directly chaired the question and answer session on agriculture . Photo: National Assembly Information Portal

On the afternoon of August 15, continuing the question and answer session, the Standing Committee of the 15th National Assembly questioned Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan on the field of agriculture and rural development .

Chairing the question and answer session were National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly: Tran Thanh Man , Nguyen Khac Dinh, Tran Quang Phuong, Nguyen Duc Hai. Attending the question and answer session directly at the National Assembly House were President Vo Van Thuong; Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Ministers.

At the Nghe An provincial bridge, Comrade Thai Thi An Chung - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation chaired the online meeting. Attending the online meeting were Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; National Assembly delegates; leaders of the Provincial People's Council committees and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Question 3 groups of issues

bna_ MH13.jpg — Scene at Nghe An bridge. Photo: MH

Based on the moderation of the question-and-answer session by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai, 26 delegates questioned and 3 delegates debated on 3 groups of issues: Solutions to remove difficulties for agricultural exports; activities of exploiting, protecting and developing aquatic resources and solutions to remove the "yellow card" of the European Commission (EC) for aquatic products; conversion of land use purposes, recovery of rice-growing land area, ensuring food security and rice export in the current period.

The issue raised by many National Assembly delegates and answered by Minister Le Minh Hoan was related to implementing chain linkage in agricultural production.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan directly answered questions. Photo: National Assembly Information Portal

According to Minister Le Minh Hoan, chain linkage in agricultural production is the industry's strategy to change the fragmented, small-scale, and spontaneous state of agriculture. Only chain linkage can improve the quality of agricultural products and transform agricultural products into commercial products, ensuring market standards. Therefore, cooperation between production and linkage between producers and enterprises in a chain of products is necessary.

However, this task is still slow, only about 20% of agricultural area is in the industry chain and not all chains are sustainable. To promote and improve the sustainability of the chains, in the coming time, the Ministry will work with localities to build more synchronous and complete chain models; at the same time, work with institutes, schools, scientists, and businesses to influence the chain to develop more sustainably.

bna_ MH10.jpg — Standing members of Nghe An Provincial People's Council attended at the provincial bridge. Photo: MH

Responding to questions from National Assembly deputies on rice land planning and use, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that rice land planning is included in land planning and that localities have stabilized rice land areas and that provincial planning clearly defines areas for agricultural land. Based on the National Assembly Resolution and the Government Resolution with the requirement to flexibly use 5 million hectares of rice nationwide, the Ministry will work with localities in the process of socio-economic development, trying to preserve rice land funds and considering when converting rice land.

Regarding food security, the Minister said that it is necessary to approach it in a broad scope towards food security, food and nutritional balance; that is, not only rice but also cereal products, vegetables, tubers, fruits, etc.

bna_ MH12.jpg — Leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and the Provincial People's Council attended at the Nghe An bridge. Photo: MH

Minister Le Minh Hoan also answered questions from National Assembly deputies about solutions to increase farmers' income; about building agricultural product brands; about handling conflicts such as being a salt-producing country but also importing salt or determining to produce cashews for export, but the value of cashew products and the income of cashew growers are low.

It is also a solution to remove difficulties for agricultural exports; exploitation, protection and development of aquatic resources; a solution to remove the European Commission (EC)'s "yellow card" for aquatic products...

bna_ MH11.jpg — Leaders of Nghe An Provincial People's Council committees attended at the provincial bridge. Photo: MH

At the question and answer session, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien also answered the concerns of National Assembly deputies regarding solutions for exporting agricultural and aquatic products.

150820230436-z4606036918924_10455f2e99934413f242de2a10356e08.jpeg — Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien also responded to the concerns of National Assembly deputies regarding solutions for exporting agricultural and aquatic products. Photo: National Assembly Information Portal

Resolutely implement solutions and commitments at the questioning session

Speaking at the end of the question and answer session, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue acknowledged that National Assembly deputies, based on their working experience, had carefully prepared quality questions that closely reflected the reality, life and aspirations of voters; fully implemented regulations on the method of questioning, exchanging and debating, and ensuring the prescribed time.

Ministers and heads of sectors participated in answering questions with a high sense of responsibility, grasped the current situation of their sectors and fields, explained and clarified the current situation and proposed many solutions to the questions.

150820230427-z4606045796748_4a66e6ab5afe69303a543087405cef9b.jpeg — National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivers closing remarks at the question and answer session. Photo: National Assembly Information Portal

Assessing some outstanding results in recent times, and at the same time pointing out some limitations and shortcomings in the areas under the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue requested the Government and relevant Ministers to fully absorb the opinions of National Assembly deputies, resolutely direct and implement solutions and commitments at this questioning session, in order to promptly resolve existing problems, difficulties, obstacles and concerns in society; contributing to promoting the country's socio-economic development, ensuring social security.

The National Assembly Chairman expressed his belief that with the solutions committed by the Ministers, with the high determination of the Government, the support of the National Assembly and National Assembly deputies, the management sector under the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice will have many clear changes, reaching new heights, becoming more substantial; the agricultural sector will overcome difficulties and challenges, continue to be a solid "support" of the economy, creating an important foundation and premise to move towards modern agriculture, international integration and adaptation to climate change.