Enough basis to achieve the target of USD 55 billion in agro-product export

Vietnam Agriculture News recently had an interview with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to have a better grasp of the agricultural sector’s development in the near future.

Giving close direction based on practical situation

Dear Deputy Minister, can you give some comments about the results of the agricultural sector in the first 5 months of 2023?

Regarding the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, the agricultural sector has made positive changes, and numbers tell no lie. From a decrease of 68% in January 2023, in May the industry only recorded a decrease of 11.1%, export value reached USD 20.26 billion.

If we follow this momentum, by the end of the third quarter, we can expect to catch up with the export record in 2022 and have enough basis to reach the USD 55 billion target assigned by the Government by the end of the year. In particular, the trade surplus of the whole industry continued to be maintained at a high level.

The structure of the export market has also had some visible changes. The US market which accounts for 26.4% is now just over 20%, the Chinese market has increased from 17.6% to more than 21%. Facing such market fluctuations, we must flexibly conduct trade promotion measures in different markets.

The first months of 2023 recorded a breakthrough in the rice industry, in which the selling price increased from USD 485/ton to USD 495/ton. It is the result of spreading high-quality rice varieties all over ecological regions, especially in key agricultural areas such as the Mekong Delta. As a result, rice yield continues to increase, reaching 6.74 tons/ha, ensuring production despite the decrease in the cultivated area.

There are many kinds of fruits entering the harvest period such as durian, jackfruit, and lychee. To my knowledge, many Chinese businessmen have come to Bac Giang. Agricultural provinces like Bac Giang have their own experience in promoting trade and keeping close relations with China's border provinces. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development firmly believes in another successful crop.

As for livestock production, although the price of feed is still very high, Vietnam has an advantage in the ability to control diseases. As a result, the pig herd reaches 26 million heads, an increase of 2.6%, the poultry herd increases by 1.3%, the cow herd reaches 6.41 million heads, up 1.2%. In the case of seafood, output by the end of May 2023 is recorded at 3.4 million tons, up 1.4%. The output of planted forest wood was 11.54 million cubic meters, up 3.3%.

However, we also need to look directly at the fact that the growth rate of the whole industry tends to slow down. This is the reality that we must review and put into consideration to continue the directing work to maintain the growth momentum from now until the end of 2023.

In search of new striking power

In order to regain the growth rate for the whole industry and achieve the targets assigned by the Government, what measures and plans has the agricultural sector proposed?

Through the recent inspections, I notice that many industries and fields have not received any orders. Workers and employees only work a few shifts a month or a few days a week which affects incomes, hence a decrease in living and consumption needs.

In the current context, scientific and technological progress is the decisive factor that helps us maintain the growth rate. The agricultural industry has actively cooperated with foreign enterprises and connected to receive technology transfers from abroad. Technical advances and scientific works from institutes and universities in the country are also transferred to farmers, helping to enhance the agricultural industry’s competitiveness.

Another problem of concern is agricultural infrastructure, so the organizing work of disbursement of public investment capital also becomes a very urgent matter. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s disbursement rate is 27.62% at present, expected to reach 34-35% by the end of June 2023.

It is impossible not to mention the role of the media. This is the third year we have implemented Central Resolution 13 and there are nearly two and a half years left to finish. Therefore, the media needs to participate further and create overall strength so that the agricultural industry can achieve the goals of “Ecological Agriculture - Vibrant Countryside - Innovative Farmers”.

Besides internal factors, what other impulses does the agricultural industry need to develop sustainably and create stable livelihoods for farmers?

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has repeatedly mentioned building an independent, self-reliant and deeply integrated economy. To do so, it is clear that we need to create a favorable investment environment for agribusiness in a way that increases the number and scale of businesses in this field, and at the same time makes strong production links along the industry chain. It is necessary to consider such cooperations as the "center point", involving the participation of farms and farmers to focus on the production chain and link the market.

Investment promotion can therefore be considered as a driving force for the industry to accelerate. We must change the way we think. Instead of doing promotion work after making the products, we need to take one step prior and calculate the requirements of the market.

Thank you, sir!