Farmers must benefit from agricultural production
(VOV) - It’s time for the agricultural sector to accelerate its restructuring process to improve product quality and boost farmers’ income, says agricultural minister Cao Duc Phat.
Raising the added value of farm products is the key to increasing the competitive capacity of the agricultural sector, Phat said in a weekly online Q&A session held by the Government Portal on August 24.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is implementing an agriculture restructuring programme towards higher added value of products and sustainable development.
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| Agricultural production will be restructured towards sustainable development |
All localities are required to re-examine their agricultural structure so as to invest more in areas of highly competitive advantage, especially crop production and livestock breeding, to make a higher economic value.
They are encouraged to mobilise agricultural investments from other economic sectors, boost technology transfer, and introduce support policies for farmers and businesses in developing these potential areas.
Phat said scientific and technological advances have been transferred to farmers in various forms over the years. However, incentive policies are needed to encourage businesses to get involved in this process to ease the financial burden on the State.
The MARD has issued a circular for localities to instruct farmers to change crop structure and use high yield rice varieties.
He said the ministry has worked closely with several localities to clarify why farmers recently abandoned paddy cultivation and switched to other crops. They initially found that high inputs costs but low prices of products forced famers to abandon their land.
Minister Phat confirmed his ministry will help farmers increase their incomes from agricultural production by growing other crops.
Given the market economy, Vietnam still reserves land funds for rice cultivation. However, farmers can switch to other crops of higher economic value if they wish, and the MARD will support this process, he said.
The Minister went on to say that the MARD will shortly restructure crops planted on rice soil by selecting appropriate, high-yield varieties for every locality.