Agricultural, farmer and rural development is a strategic issue.

On October 12th, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong met with the delegation of the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Association's founding (2013-2023).

According to Mr. Ho Xuan Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development, after 10 years of establishment, the Association has now attracted more than 230 collective members and over 10,000 individual members, including businesses, organizations, intellectuals, and individuals, who support each other's development and contribute to building a modern agriculture, prosperous farmers, and civilized rural areas.

President Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN

Over the past period, the General Association has actively propagated and proposed social critiques of the Party and State's policies on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas; contributed opinions on the overall restructuring of the agricultural sector; promoted digital transformation and the transfer of science and technology to farmers; organized programs to promote the golden brand of Vietnamese agriculture, contributing to connecting the consumption of agricultural products.

The General Association recommends that the State soon implement policies to further encourage businesses to invest in agriculture and rural areas; support the General Association's participation in advising and providing feedback on a number of national target programs; and establish a fund for building new rural areas in border and island regions.

Speaking at the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong extended his best wishes to the delegates and the General Association, congratulating them on the commendable achievements over the past 10 years. Affirming that the Party and State consider the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas a strategic issue, the President emphasized that the great achievements of the "Renovation" period, the current status, position, prestige, and potential of the country, owe a significant contribution to agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

President Vo Van Thuong meets with a delegation from the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN

The agricultural sector not only ensures domestic food security but also achieves significant export value. Vietnamese agricultural products are present in many demanding markets and are well-liked. In the context of COVID-19, when the country faced many difficulties, agriculture, farmers, and rural areas were crucial pillars for the nation to overcome challenges and ensure the effective implementation of social welfare policies.

The President highly appreciated the General Association's achievements in recent times, noting its many meaningful and pioneering activities in the fields of circular economy, green economy, environmental protection, and public health; its implementation of numerous humanitarian programs to support farmers in disadvantaged areas; and its strong international cooperation, affirming its role as a powerful professional social organization recognized by many countries around the world.

Referring to the goal of making Vietnam a high-income developed country by 2045, President Vo Van Thuong requested the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development to actively promote and encourage farmers to make a strong, substantive, and comprehensive shift in mindset from self-sufficiency to large-scale production, in line with commodity production and the market economy; and to support farmers in becoming agricultural workers.

The President emphasized the need to improve policies to strongly facilitate agricultural and rural development. History shows that leaps and bounds in development, creating outstanding results, are thanks to policies, most notably the "Contract 10" system. The President suggested that the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development should actively participate in this matter, as its members working in agriculture, farmers, and rural areas are the ones who deeply understand the advantages and disadvantages of the policy and can make important contributions to its improvement.

President Vo Van Thuong with delegates from the Vietnam General Association of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN

The President also requested the General Association to effectively organize activities to support farmers through training, knowledge dissemination, promoting the transfer of science and technology, and agricultural and fisheries extension services to guide farmers and fishermen in green, clean, and safe production, protecting their own health and that of consumers; and to accelerate the implementation of the new rural development program, maximizing the role of farmers as key players in agricultural production and rural development.

Highly appreciating the General Association's emphasis on and promotion of circular agricultural economy, the President suggested that the General Association replicate successful models, disseminate information, provide support, and attract more farmers to participate. Members should continue to cooperate closely, helping and supporting each other in both production and product consumption; in particular, they need to effectively forecast production and market conditions to avoid situations of bumper harvests leading to price drops, ensuring agricultural production and farmers' incomes improve.

The President requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant agencies to create favorable conditions and provide support for the General Association to leverage its strengths and operate more effectively. The President expressed confidence that the General Association will build upon its strengths and achievements, continue to achieve even better results, and contribute to the development of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas in Vietnam.

According to VNA/News Agency

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