Agriculture sector targets higher productivity, quality, value
The domestic agriculture sector is in need of solutions to optimise capital and science and technology, thus raising productivity, quality, and value in service of both domestic and foreign markets, the fifth national farmers’ forum held in Hanoi on October 13 heard.
Thao Xuan Sung, Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, said in his opening remarks that agriculture and rural areas have proven to be the foundation of the national economy and significantly contributed to the country’s stability, integration, and development.
Some 1,200 businesses have invested in the sector, he said, adding that there are 15,800 agricultural cooperatives, 40,000 farms, and 8 million farming households.
First held in 2016, the forum this year focused on links between farmers, the State, investors, banks, scientists, and distributors in terms of capital and technology.
Le Van Viet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Xuyen Viet Seafood Trade and Production Cooperative in northern Hai Duong province’s Gia Loc district, proposed the State develop large-scale concentrated production areas that will provide materials for processing factories, and roll out preferential credit policies for cooperatives.
Pham Thi Thanh Tung, head of the Department of Credit for Agriculture under the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), said it regards agriculture and rural areas, including high-tech agriculture and connectivity in the sector, as among its priorities.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) is making efforts to offer loans for agriculture, especially high-tech agriculture, through a VND100 trillion (US$4.31 billion) credit package, the bank’s Deputy General Director Pham Toan Vuong said.