Ministry of Agriculture and Environment: Strategic direction for sustainable development

On March 1, on behalf of the Party and the State, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha presented the Decision to establish the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, based on the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, while also taking on the poverty reduction responsibilities from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Ministry of Agriculture and Environment: Multi-sector, multi-field

On the first working day of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha remarked that this was a significant milestone, marking a turning point in the state management system. He emphasized the role and mission of the new ministry and shared his expectations for the sustainable development of agriculture and the environment in the near future.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the merger comes at a time when Vietnam is facing major challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and the urgent need to restructure the agricultural sector. Combining these two closely related fields not only optimizes the state management apparatus but also enables the development and implementation of more coordinated and effective policies.

In reality, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) have long had a close working relationship in managing land, water, and forest resources, as well as addressing climate change. Agriculture relies on environmental resources - land, water, and climate are critical inputs that determine product quality and farming practices. However, agriculture also significantly contributes to environmental pollution through the use of chemicals in crop cultivation, intensive livestock farming, and deforestation, which leads to ecosystem degradation.

The merger of the two ministries reflects a trend toward integrated and streamlined management, avoiding overlaps and improving policy execution. It also ensures that agricultural development policies do not harm the environment, while environmental protection policies fully support the growth of sustainable agriculture. A unified agency will allow for more comprehensive policymaking.

"The leadership, officials, and staff of both ministries have worked with great urgency and a high sense of responsibility to complete an enormous amount of work in a short period," the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Recognizing this achievement, the government leader expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to the officials and civil servants of the two predecessor ministries, who had to make personal sacrifices for the collective good. He emphasized that the merger is not just an organizational restructuring but also requires a strong sense of responsibility, dedication, and adaptability from each official and staff member. These qualities are crucial for the new ministry to operate efficiently and fulfill its assigned tasks effectively.

Regarding future tasks, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will not only continue to fulfill the existing functions of its two predecessor ministries, covering state management in science, technology, and economic sectors, but will also expand its scope to social aspects after taking on poverty alleviation responsibilities from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. He emphasized that this is one of the Ministry’s most significant political and humanitarian missions.

“The new Ministry's management scope is extremely broad, covering 25 fields, many of which are related to natural resources, the environment, and people, as well as major global issues such as climate change. These are all pressing challenges,” he remarked.

Recognizing this as both a challenge and an opportunity, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that integrating agricultural development with environmental protection while also improving people’s livelihoods would help optimize resources and create more effective and sustainable rural economic models. This approach would ensure balanced regional development and enhance the quality of life for people in rural, mountainous, and remote areas.

Focusing on institutional reform, seeking a sustainable path

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to immediately focus on key tasks to realize the Government's sustainable development goals.

First and foremost, the Ministry must continue researching and developing a comprehensive legal framework to ensure consistency between regulations on agriculture and the environment. Amending and supplementing the legal system will help create a transparent and favorable legal corridor for businesses and citizens while minimizing disruptions in functions, responsibilities, and personnel within a short period.

"A document can be just three or four pages long, but once issued, it must be immediately actionable, especially for urgent matters," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized. He also noted that the Ministry's leadership should establish mechanisms to encourage innovation and create spaces where officials and staff can freely "think" before taking "action" . He strongly advised against a rigid, procedural approach where regulations dictate every step or a mindset of "if we don’t understand or can’t manage something, we ban it."

To achieve this, the leadership and staff of the new Ministry must take a more proactive and innovative approach to their work, avoiding bureaucratic inertia. This will not only enable the Ministry to quickly operate efficiently but also drive positive changes in management and policy implementation.

"Each task should be assigned to one person, but one capable person should be able to handle multiple tasks," said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha. He further emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment should prioritize resources to address the most pressing issues or those that have persisted for many years. The set objectives must not be vague but should be clearly quantified with concrete action plans.

In the long term, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the need for the Ministry to develop a strategic approach to managing, protecting, and sustainably utilizing key natural resources such as forests, land, water, and biodiversity. In particular, restoring natural forests, combating desertification, protecting marine ecosystems, and enhancing climate change resilience will play a crucial role.

The government leader expressed confidence in the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, which swiftly restructured its organizational framework just days after the National Assembly passed the resolution establishing the Ministry. He hopes that, under the firm leadership of the Party, the State, and the Government, along with close coordination among ministries, agencies, and public support, an environmentally friendly, efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural sector will soon become a reality.

The success of the newly established Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will serve as clear evidence of a sound development strategy, helping Vietnam join the ranks of pioneering nations in sustainable agricultural production while ensuring a healthy environment for its people.