Efforts, limitations, solutions towards 2021’s remaining 6 months

Great efforts in the first 6 months

In the context of the Covid-19’s impact, especially this fourth outbreak, the whole industry has organized many conferences and forums to promote production, business and product consumption, solve urgent problems of the industry and review industry growth scenarios to adjust to the situation, effectively serving the direction and administration.

The progress of harvesting and transportation; distribution for domestic consumption and export of agricultural products (especially agricultural products in the big harvest season) has received positive support, not allowing the “good harvest but prices drop” situation for rice, fruit, or product congestion at the border; well organizing the prevention and control of diseases on crops, livestock and aquatic products.

Trade promotion and open market activities have advanced to maintain, expand and boost exports, especially for key products (rice, fruit, fishery products, wood...) in key markets.

The quality management of agro-forestry-fishery products and agricultural materials is well implemented, especially the food safety monitoring programs. Information and communication on food safety have helped change the perception and behavior of agro-forestry-fishery producers and traders.

Scientific research, human resource training, international cooperation and sectoral management have contributed to improving the production efficiency and directing capabilities of the Mínistry and branches.

Information and propaganda work is focused, promptly conveyed to the community the results of the Ministry's drastic direction and management in both preventing disease and maintaining production, ensuring food supply, supporting agricultural products’ consumption and export.

Limitations remain

Apart from the achievements above, in the first 6 months of 2021, some shortcomings and limitations still remain:

Agriculture restructuring, although having achieved positive results, have yet to be balanced.

The concretization and implementation of policies to support production and business, link production with safe agricultural products and food consumption in many localities is still slow, production and scale are still limited.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, while the budget capital of the Central in 2021 has not been allocated and it is difficult to mobilize resources, many localities are confused in balancing resources for implementation. Some localities have shown signs of running after the OCOP product recognition movement without paying attention to the effectiveness of the program.

Highlighted solutions towards the remaining 6 months of 2021

In order to achieve the highest goals, it is necessary to focus on carrying out the following main tasks and solutions:

Implement synchronously and effectively regulations, strategies, programs and projects on industry development; Continue to accelerate the industrial restructuring, improve the productivity and quality of agricultural products and the efficiency of production and business; strive to achieve the year's growth target at the highest level.

Strongly develop the market, remove barriers, and facilitate the consumption of agro - forestry - fishery products. Take advantage of opportunities from FTAs, especially EVFTA, CTPPP to remove barriers and penetrate new markets. Timely solve technical difficulties, facilitate customs clearance, logistics infrastructure, do not let goods stagnate at border gates for export to the Chinese market (fresh fruits, vegetables, fishery and husbandry products...).

Expand the agricultural product market to economies having complementary product structures with Vietnam such as Japan, Korea, India, the EU or the Middle East; select and put suitable products into potential markets such as Russia, Middle East, Africa, ASEAN countries...

Strengthen the quality management of agro-forestry-fishery products, agricultural materials, ensuring food safety and hygiene. Promote the construction of safe food supply chains, especially for big cities; organize production in the direction of focusing on ensuring food safety, applying advanced quality management systems, increasing the use of organic agricultural materials.

Summary

The agriculture industry has many remaining tasks from now until the end of 2021 in the context that the global and domestic economic situation is still complicated, climate change is predicted to maintain causing problems. Extreme weather events, unpredictable natural disasters, and the Covid-19 pandemic have caused great damage to production and delayed industry growth. Therefore, much support is needed from the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister, along with the efforts of agencies, units, levels and sectors with comprehensive policies and solutions to complete the plans in 2021, contributing to the overall growth of the country and ensuring social security.