Vietnam's agriculture from pedestal to new development driving force

Restructuring is an inevitable requirement for sustainable development.

Mr. Cao Duc Phat said that each stage of Vietnam's agriculture is associated with different goals and contexts. Therefore, the industry structure also needs to be adjusted to achieve the highest efficiency. From the 1986-1995 period, the focus was on ensuring enough food in the country, to the 1995-2010 period, promoting food security and commodity development, from 2010 to now, the focus is on increasing added value, sustainable development and deep international integration.

In order to realize the orientation of " economic restructuring, growth model transformation", in 2013, the Agricultural Restructuring Project was approved. Accordingly, the 2021-2025 period continues to be implemented through Decision 255/QD-TTg, unifying the comprehensive approach: Maintaining growth, improving rural income, ensuring food security, nutrition, protecting natural resources and responding to climate change.

Photo caption — Restructuring is an inevitable requirement for sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

To implement this, the Ministry has closely coordinated with ministries, branches and localities to adjust planning; perfect land, credit and trade policies; develop infrastructure, enterprises and cooperatives; promote research and transfer of science and technology; train human resources and improve state management.

The results show that the restructuring direction is correct and on target. In the context of many economic difficulties, natural disasters and epidemics occurring continuously, the agricultural sector still maintains an average growth rate of over 3.5%/year, ensuring food security and boosting exports. In particular, the export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in 2024 has increased more than three times compared to 2010, many items hold high positions in the international market such as rice, coffee, pepper, shrimp, tra fish, wooden products, etc.

Not only is restructuring a growth driver, it also contributes to poverty reduction and continuously increases the income of rural residents. The nominal income of rural residents in 2024 increased 5.9 times compared to 2008, while the poverty rate decreased sharply from 17.4% in 2010 to 3.5% in 2024.

On the other hand, environmental sustainability factors have been significantly strengthened: Forest cover has reached about 42%. In aquaculture, there have been many efforts to protect aquatic resources both at sea and in inland waters. In aquaculture, safe farming processes, the use of biological products, saving and preventing water pollution have been widely applied...

According to Mr. Cao Duc Phat, despite the remaining problems, the restructuring process has brought about expected positive results, helping agriculture recover growth and continue to play a supporting role in the economy.

Strong demand for innovation

Agriculture is entering a period of unprecedented challenges. Mr. Cao Duc Phat commented that climate change is evolving rapidly and irreversibly; the requirement to reduce emissions to move towards Net Zero 2050 requires a huge global effort, in which agriculture currently contributes 20-30% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, domestic agricultural land is nearing its limit, rice acreage is decreasing rapidly. At sea, marine resources in coastal waters have been overexploited. Rural labor has shifted strongly to urban and industrial areas. This requires agriculture to rely more on science and technology (S&CN) and investment, especially to retain young workers and create attractive incomes for rural residents.

At the same time, the strong technological revolution creates great opportunities. Digital technology and artificial intelligence help optimize production; biotechnology development allows for fast and effective breeding; many new protein production models (such as plant-based protein or cell culture) open up sustainable directions and higher values.

Our country’s agriculture has become an export-oriented agriculture with deep international integration. According to Mr. Cao Duc Phat, to continue developing, there is no other way but to quickly seize opportunities, master and apply science and technology, improve competitiveness, and continue to expand international market share.

“Policy mechanisms go ahead, paving the way for new science and technology to develop and soon enter life, so that farmers, businessmen, especially young people and women can find their passion, a favorable career and a good life in agriculture and rural areas,” Mr. Cao Duc Phat emphasized.

Restructuring has helped Vietnam’s agriculture develop faster, bringing great benefits to farmers and the country. However, according to Mr. Cao Duc Phat, the upcoming goal must be even higher, so that agriculture and farmers can contribute proportionately to the strong rise of the country and the nation.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/nong-nghiep-viet-nam-tu-be-do-den-dong-luc-phat-trien-moi-20251109124036211.htm