Agriculture - a proud pillar of Vietnam’s economy

Mentioning agriculture, farmer and countryside in the concluding speech of the Fifth Conference of the Party Central Committee, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said:

 “After nearly fifteen years of implementing the Resolutions, thanks to the active participation of the whole political system and the joint effort and consensus of the people, Vietnam has achieved many great achievements especially in restructuring agriculture, new rural construction, accelerating the process of industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas, improving people's living condition, and promoting socio-economic development. People's trust in the Party and State has been increasingly consolidated and enhanced.”

Agriculture continues to develop in both scale and production level as it maintains a relatively high growth rate, asserts its important role and position as the pillar of the economy, and firmly secures national food security.

Agricultural production and business are strongly shifting towards improving quality and added value while further adapting to climate change; bringing into play the advantages of regions, territories and localities; focusing on the application of science - technology and the change of flora and fauna structure.

The production and business organization system is being perfected with each passing day and participating more deeply in the global agricultural product value chain. Processed agricultural products have gradually increased their presence in the market. Consumption markets are expanded both at home and abroad. Exports improve rapidly in terms of output, value and proportion of high-quality products. Vietnam has become one of the major exporters of agricultural products in the world.

Regarding farmers, the General Secretary said that Vietnam's farmers had better promote their role as the key subject of agriculture. They participated in cooperation, association, restoration and development of rural industries, preserved national cultural identity, and maintained political security, social order and countryside safety. Farmers' income is constantly increasing, and their physical and mental life has had great improvement. The rural poverty rate has also decreased at a rapid pace.

“The National Target Program on New Rural Construction has become a far-reaching and pervasive movement, receiving the active participation of the entire political system from the central to grassroots levels as well as the entire population and business community. We have reached the finish line 1.5 years earlier than the set target," said General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In order to continue to promote the achieved results and achievements, overcome the existing limitations and weaknesses, create stronger changes, and successfully implement the goals and tasks set forth in the Resolution of Party Congress term XIII, Vietnam must be fully aware of the long-term strategic significance of the position and role of agriculture, farmer and countryside development for the cause of renewal, national construction and defense.

Industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas are the most important tasks in the process of industrialization and modernization of Vietnam. The State needs to continue to prioritize investment resources for agriculture, farmers and rural areas; harmonize the development between rural and urban areas, regions and localities; maintain a close association between industry, service and agriculture; balance sustainable rural development and urbanization in the direction of "Ecological Agriculture - Vibrant Countryside - Innovative Farmers".

"Farmers are the subject and center of the agriculture development process. We must focus on improving farmers’ professional level and capability in the civilized direction. Agriculture and rural development must aim to comprehensively improve farmers’ physical and mental life, taking the interests of the people as the highest goal."

The General Secretary emphasized the importance of defining agriculture as an advantage of the country and the pillar of the economy. “Vietnam should further develop agriculture effectively, sustainably, transparently, and responsibly, integrating multivalue in line with maintaining national food security and protecting the ecological environment. This is the responsibility of the Party and people, the central task of the entire political system.”