Looking back at the results achieved by the agricultural sector in 2022, is the minister satisfied?

In 2022, the GDP growth of the agricultural sector is estimated at 3%, reaching the target set by the government; The export of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products brought in revenue of $53.2 billion, exceeding $3 billion compared to the $50 billion provided by the government. Agricultural GDP growth this year can be called the highest in the last 4 years (2.74% in 2021; in 2016-2020, the average GDP growth rate of the entire industry will reach 2.54%/year). However, compared to other sectors of the economy, GDP growth in agriculture is still very low.

If we only approach the agricultural sector in terms of growth numbers, we will not see all the problems. The agricultural sector had many bright spots last year.

one is The results achieved in 2022 have deepened the supportive role of the agricultural sector, contributing to the overall growth of the whole economy and ensuring food security and social concerns. In 2022, many countries face a food crisis due to high inflation in Europe and many other regions. Therefore, many countries come to us in the second half of 2022 to wish for cooperation in food and food production.

two is Aware of the role of creating agriculture and creating market space for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, in 2022 we opened many markets and brought many kinds of Vietnamese agricultural products to difficult markets. Vietnam’s agricultural products meet the needs of all the most demanding markets.

Tuesday, The “Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development for 2021-2030 with a Vision to 2050” has started to spread and transform agriculture, forestry and fisheries from unit-value based growth to integrated growth. More and more new agricultural models and OCOP products are coming onto the market.

Wednesday, The mindset of exporters of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products has started to change. Before I was Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, from the rice industry, I often read the newspaper and complained: Vietnam’s export rice price is the lowest compared to other rice exporting competitors (India, Thailand, Cambodia…). But in 2022, Vietnam’s average export rice price was the highest in the world, surpassing rivals India and Thailand.

We owe this result to the increasing proportion of noble rice, our delicious quality rice specialty. This is irreversible and needs to be channeled to the high-end market for greater profits for businesses and farmers. With rice exporters to the EU and Japanese market, the Vietnamese rice industry has moved away from production and towards quality.

In the past, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, organized many forums on agricultural product markets, we do not homogenize all markets, but create many product segments.

In the consumer markets for agricultural products in Vietnam, the Chinese market still occupies a large share. How does the minister assess the market in this country?

We used to be in the habit of making low quality agricultural products for small export to China. Now the Chinese market is more demanding. The middle class in China is growing, there are now 500 million Chinese classified as middle class, so the demand for high-quality agricultural products is their top priority. They set technical barriers and regulations for imported agricultural products for all countries, not just Vietnam. But it is also a chance for us to change, it may be difficult at the beginning, but it will be more sustainable in the long term, with the support of the government agencies on both sides, so that we can gradually phase out the risk.

The minister also spoke a lot about the issue of intellectualization of farmers. How to understand this problem?

One of the weaknesses of Vietnamese agriculture today is precarious, the important reason is the lack of professionalism. Therefore, the standardization of the cultivation process must start with the farmer. I think the money in your pocket is finite money and the money in your head is infinite. This is the process we help farmers raise the bar.

Successful intellectualization of farmers requires the willingness of farmers to professionalize themselves. Any government support is pointless if the farmers don’t switch. Therefore, farmers should change, then there are experts and unions to help; And if you keep closing the door and thinking you’re good enough, you won’t need it anymore.

It is known that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is developing a National Action Plan to transform diet and the food system. Why do we have to convert, Minister?

Vietnamese agriculture faces many difficulties and challenges due to internal problems and objective factors, such as: depleted resources, climate change, market volatility and trend changes, consumption in the world.

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is necessary to transform the food system towards transparency, accountability and sustainability. The strategy for sustainable agriculture and rural development for the period 2021-2030 with a vision up to 2050 is based on the point of view of responsible, modern, efficient and sustainable agricultural production; Developing ecological, organic, circular, low-carbon and green agriculture; Agricultural and rural development is linked to resource conservation and adaptation to climate change.

At the direction of the Prime Minister, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development last year consulted with local and international experts and advisors to develop a draft “National Action Plan for Transformation”: “Transforming a Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food System “. in Vietnam by 2030”.

The change and transformation must consider much between long-term goals, noble ideals for a more beautiful world, a green planet and daily meals for low-income people.

How does the minister forecast agriculture in 2023?

Exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products are very favorable in the first half of 2022, but difficulties will come by the end of 2022 where inflation has not yet occurred due to the delayed spread process. The fact that banks are raising lending rates makes agricultural businesses less capital and more risky.

The difficulty also lies in the increasingly strict requirements of the market. Now, consumers in the countries demand that agricultural products are not only of high quality and ensure food safety, but they are also concerned whether the cultivation process has harmful effects on the natural environment or not. No, does it increase climate change? Does the seafood caught comply with international law?

I’m glad that our business has started to change.

VnEconomy January 23, 2023 06:00

The content of the article was published in the special issue Xuan Quy Mao of Vietnam Economic Magazine, published on January 23, 2023. Welcome readers to read This:

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