Credit policies to support the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

(DTO) Dong Thap is one of the major agricultural centers in the country. Key agricultural products such as rice, durian, mango, lotus, catfish, clams, and oysters not only make significant contributions to the GRDP but also leave a strong mark on the export market. To effectively exploit this potential, the banking system in the province has recently intensified the implementation of credit programs serving agriculture and rural areas, supporting people and businesses in developing in a modern and sustainable direction.

SUPPORTING FARMERS IN DEVELOPING PRODUCTION

With a focus on prioritizing capital resources to fully and promptly meet the needs of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, the Tien Giang branch of the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank Tien Giang) has become a credit facilitator for many farmers in developing agricultural production.

Thanks to the loan, Mrs. Tam's family was able to develop their production and stabilize their lives.

Mr. Nguyen Van Doi's family (Hiep Duc commune, Dong Thap province) has been involved in orchard farming year-round. In 2004, he decided to borrow over 400 million VND from Agribank Tien Giang to invest in catfish farming. Due to lack of experience, he suffered losses in the first year.

Undeterred, he continued to invest in fish farming and reaped the rewards. With the money from selling fish, he bought more ponds and expanded production. To date, his family owns more than 10 fish ponds.

Meanwhile, in Tan Phu Dong commune, Dong Thap province, credit capital has helped many farmers develop agricultural production, thereby achieving a stable life.

Previously, due to a lack of production capital, the life of Ms. Le Thi Tam's family (Ly Quan 1 hamlet, Tan Phu Dong commune) was very difficult. Later, Ms. Tam's family borrowed 130 million VND from Agribank. This capital was invested in raising cattle and goats and growing lemongrass.

"Thanks to the income from livestock farming and lemongrass cultivation, our family now has enough to eat and wear, and we no longer face the hardships we had before. Thanks to the loan, our family has been able to develop our economy and build a spacious house," Mrs. Tam shared.

Also in Ly Quan 1 hamlet, nearly three years ago, Ms. Le Thi Kim Xuyen's family borrowed capital from Agribank to invest in industrial shrimp farming and lemongrass cultivation. She invested the capital in fertilizers and pesticides to cultivate 1 hectare of lemongrass and over 0.5 hectares of shrimp.

“Previously, before accessing loans, my family had to buy agricultural supplies on credit, resulting in unprofitable production. With low-interest loans, I can now buy supplies and shrimp disease treatments with cash at a cheaper price. This loan has been incredibly helpful for my family in our daily lives, especially for agricultural production,” added Ms. Xuyen.

According to Agribank Tien Giang, by the end of November 2025, the total outstanding loan balance of the branch reached VND 20,005 billion, an increase of VND 1,691 billion compared to the beginning of the year, representing a growth rate of 9.23%.

For loans to the agricultural and rural sector, the total loan volume was VND 21,545 billion, accounting for 74.94% of the total loan volume. The total outstanding loan balance was VND 17,816 billion, an increase of VND 1,350 billion compared to the beginning of 2025, representing an 8.2% increase. The proportion of loans to agriculture and rural areas was 89.06%. The number of borrowers was 66,016, accounting for 91.75% of borrowers at Agribank Tien Giang branch.

CONTINUING TOGETHER

Over the years, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Region 13 has directed credit institutions to focus capital on production and business sectors, priority areas, and credit policy programs in accordance with the Government and Prime Minister's guidelines, including agricultural and rural development.

Using borrowed capital, Ms. Xuyen's family invested in growing lemongrass and raising shrimp.

In order to help the banking system better access actual capital needs, ensure that credit flows are directed in the right direction and are effective, during the year, the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13 advised the Provincial People's Committee to direct the acceleration of the implementation of credit policies serving agricultural and rural development in the area in the context of the promulgation of Government Decree 156/2025/ND-CP.

At the same time, a draft regulation on coordination between the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13 and the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment was prepared to promote the implementation of credit policies serving agricultural and rural development in the period 2025 - 2030.

Based on that, the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13 will establish a working group to survey and assess the current status of the implementation of the program for lending to link production, processing, and consumption of high-quality, low-emission rice products in the Mekong Delta region within the province in the coming period.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13, by the end of October 2025, the average lending interest rate in Vietnamese Dong in Dong Thap province was 7.75% per year, a decrease of 0.59% compared to the end of 2024. Total outstanding loans in the province reached VND 237,743 billion, an increase of 5.62% compared to the end of 2024; of which, loans for agriculture and rural areas increased by 5.8%, accounting for 61.6% of the total outstanding loans.

Several key sectors received significant credit, including: rice, reaching VND 30,515 billion, a 20.12% increase; fruits and vegetables, reaching VND 8,798 billion, an 11.6% increase; and seafood, reaching VND 20,447 billion, a 3% increase (with loans for pangasius accounting for over 40% of the total); loans for prominent agricultural products (durian, mango, lotus, ornamental flowers, clams, oysters) with over VND 8,113 billion; and green credit with cumulative loan disbursements reaching VND 15,217 billion during the year…

According to the assessment of the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13, credit capital is making a significant contribution to supporting farmers in improving the quality of rice, expanding raw material areas, supporting businesses in purchasing, processing, and exporting; renovating orchards, changing varieties, and establishing planting area codes for mangoes, durians, and lotus; serving the exploitation, cultivation, processing, and preservation of aquatic products, especially pangasius; and developing models for raising clams, oysters, and other aquatic products adapted to climate change.

Thanks to timely access to credit, many farming households, cooperatives, and businesses have boldly invested in new technologies, improved production processes to meet export standards, and increased the value of agricultural products.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam Region 13, in the coming period, the banking sector in Dong Thap will continue to focus capital on key industries in accordance with the province's planning.

Accordingly, the banking sector will support businesses in developing sustainable raw material areas, including the development of the Large-Scale Rice Farming model, by decisively and effectively implementing the Program for lending to link production, processing, and consumption of high-quality, low-emission rice products in the Mekong Delta.

In addition, the banking sector will promote lending to projects involving deep processing, cold storage, and agricultural logistics; encourage green, circular, and organic agricultural models; and strengthen credit for cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises.

With the support of the banking system, Dong Thap has many opportunities to continue affirming its position as an important agricultural center of the Mekong Delta region and the whole country, moving towards a modern and sustainable agriculture.

T. DAT

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/chinh-sach-tin-dung-ho-tro-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-nong-dan-nong-thon-a233949.html