On the afternoon of January 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the conference to review the work in 2023 and deploy tasks in 2024 of the Agriculture and Rural Development sector.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, connected online from Hanoi to 63 provinces and centrally-run cities.
Attending the conference at Ninh Binh bridge were comrades: Pham Quang Ngoc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Tran Song Tung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.
The Agriculture and Rural Development sector implemented the 2023 Plan in favorable, difficult and challenging conditions; in particular, the export market for forestry and fishery products was particularly difficult. However, thanks to close adherence to reality and drastic and flexible direction, the sector maintained high growth momentum and comprehensive development. The sector's GDP growth reached 3.83%, the highest in recent years.
Total export turnover was over 53 billion USD; the highest trade surplus ever was 12.07 billion USD, up 43.7%. Of which, some items increased to record highs such as: Vegetables and fruits 5.69 billion USD, up 69.2%; rice 4.78 billion USD, up 38.4% (ST25 rice won the championship for the second time, the best in the world); cashew nuts 3.63 billion USD, up 17.6%. Notably, for the first time, Vietnam sold 10.3 million forest carbon credits, earning 1,200 billion VND.
OCOP products have grown rapidly in quantity and quality, and their brands have been improved; to date, there are 11,056 OCOP products with 3 stars or more (an increase of 2,189 products) with 5,724 participating entities; there are nearly 20,500 agricultural cooperatives and 19,660 farms.
Regarding new rural construction, by the end of 2023, the whole country will have about 6,370/8,167 (78%) communes meeting new rural standards, of which 1,612 communes will meet advanced new rural standards and 256 communes will meet model new rural standards. There are 270 district-level units recognized as completing tasks/meeting new rural standards, and 5 provinces have been recognized by the Prime Minister as completing the task of building new rural areas.
In 2024, the agricultural sector aims for a GDP growth rate of 3 - 3.5%; agricultural, forestry and fishery export turnover of 54 - 55 billion USD. The rate of communes meeting NTM standards is 80%; 290 district-level units have met the standards/completed the task of building NTM; the rate of rural households using clean water according to standards is 58%; the forest coverage rate is stable at 42.02%, improving forest quality.
At the conference, representatives of localities and industry associations discussed to clarify the agricultural picture in 2023, difficulties and directions in the coming time.
In his concluding remarks at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged and highly appreciated the contribution of the agricultural sector to the overall achievements in the country's socio-economic development over the past year. The sector has turned the situation around, confidently, promptly, creatively, overcoming headwinds to achieve impressive results in agricultural exports.
The Prime Minister requested that in the coming time, the agricultural sector needs to strongly transform from agricultural production thinking to agricultural economic thinking; from single-sector development to multi-sector cooperation and development; promote multi-value integration in agricultural, forestry and fishery products; shift from agricultural supply chains to developing industry chains. Develop science, technology and innovation through removing barriers, bottlenecks, mechanisms and policies, associated with digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas. Closely coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors, research, connect markets, negotiate to remove technical barriers, trade barriers and open export markets. Deploy the construction of the agricultural sector's database. Continue to perfect important institutions, mechanisms and policies for industry development, especially planning work must ensure a long-term strategic vision, maximizing the country's outstanding advantages. Reform administrative procedures, reduce investment and business conditions, create a favorable environment for investment and business in agriculture and rural areas.
Nguyen Luu-Minh Duong
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