Making news

PM urges endeavours to turn Vietnam into agricultural powerhouse

HCM City, December 19 (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reiterated the ambition to develop the country into one of the world’s agricultural powerhouses during a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 18.

The event was organised by the Digital Agriculture Association (DAA) – a voluntary social professional organisation established in September 2016 under the watch of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs’ Association.

It attracted leaders of 20 agriculture-strong localities and more than 500 business owners, managers and scientists.

In his speech, the PM noted that with agriculture being one of Vietnam’s comparative advantages, the country must aim to become a high-tech agriculture hub in the global value chain.

He stressed that the Party and State have define industrialisation and modernisation of rural areas and agriculture is a task of top significance.

PM Phuc supported the DAA’s proposal to develop high-tech agricultural complexes and vowed all possible support for the project.

According to him, only 4,000 out of 600,000 firms nationwide currently engage in agriculture. In order to facilitate agricultural businesses, he suggested improving the operation of cooperatives and shifting operating models of 3.5 million business households, particularly those in rural areas to improve their competitiveness.

Responding to requests on credit for organic agriculture, the government leader promptly instructed the State Bank to consider a 50 – 60 trillion VND (2.17 – 2.6 billion USD) preferential credit package designed specifically for organic farming.

He also gave nod to suggestions to build technical barriers that protect domestic goods and prevent massive food produce import.

The PM instructed ministries and agencies to work on revising regulations on land use to facilitate large-scale farming, as well as to perfect the master plan on the use of land for agricultural production.

The government is considering the opening of a pilot land bank and the land use market, along with several farming insurance funds in support of farmers, he revealed.

At the event, DAA Vietnam Chairman Truong Gia Binh introduced a smart stamp technology to track food origin and quality. Other successful experiences in high-tech application and value chain building were also shared by DAA’s members.

A number of prominent firms operating in mechanical engineering, real estate and information technology expressed their interest in agriculture, including in rice growing.

Participants shared the view that cooperatives and enterprises are the nucleus in the development of agricultural economic zones and value chain.
VNA/VNP


Top