Director Nguyen Anh Son: The international market is posing challenges to the Vietnamese rice industry.

Vietnamese rice faces challenges

Speaking at the meeting to propose the establishment of the National Rice Council on the afternoon of August 6, Mr. Nguyen Anh Son - Director of the Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade said that in the past 30 years, our agriculture has demonstrated its great role and position in economic development and socio-political stability, creating livelihoods for over 60% of the population living in rural areas and contributing nearly 12% of the country's GDP (in 2023).

Mr. Nguyen Anh Son spoke at the meeting.

However, agricultural producers continue to be among the lowest-income and most vulnerable groups, especially in the face of climate change, new diseases and market fluctuations.

"Meanwhile, international market developments are posing challenges to the sustainable development and competitiveness of the Vietnamese rice industry. The world rice trade is complex and unpredictable, fierce competition on price and quality among exporting countries increases competitive pressure; changes in rice import and export policies of countries along with increasing geopolitical conflicts and domestic production protection in the world have affected Vietnam's rice production and export...", said Mr. Nguyen Anh Son.

Not to mention, the adjustment of rice import policies and strategies towards diversifying supply sources, limiting imports, and enhancing the self-sufficiency of rice-consuming countries has adversely affected market demand, created price pressure, and affected the export market of Vietnamese rice.

In that context, in Conclusion No. 81-KL/TW dated February 29, 2020 of the Politburo, national food security is identified as an important and essential issue for the country in the short and long term when the supply continues to be affected by climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, environmental pollution, water security, industrialization and urbanization.

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022 of the 5th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Resolution No. 34/NQ-CP dated March 25, 2021 of the Government on ensuring national food security to 2030 both aim to ensure food security in the context of market fluctuations affecting Vietnam's rice production and export.

To ensure food security, promote sustainable and safe production and export, and meet the needs of importers, it requires close direction from the Government, coordination, association, and synchronous, unanimous, and effective coordination of all sectors at all levels, localities, and the entire political system in developing rice production and export in the current period.

National Rice Council: Creating consensus in formulating and implementing rice policies

The Party's viewpoints and policies on the role of rice in socio-economic development, international experience and recent practices all point to the necessity of establishing a National Rice Council to advise the Prime Minister on research, direction and coordination in solving important, inter-sectoral issues for the development of the rice industry, from production to export.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Son informed that the Rice Council with the participation of Ministries, branches, localities, and Associations has the mission of creating a common consensus in building and implementing policies for rice products (including production, processing, and export).

In addition, monitor and urge ministries and branches to implement policies and operate programs in the rice industry. Ensure sustainable development, towards green production, meet market demand, balance between production and consumption, between export and domestic consumption and import.

The Council will promote research on the application of science, technology, and innovation in the rice industry. Consult and coordinate new and urgent issues in the development of the rice industry. Directly organize and implement a number of research, analysis, and forecast activities on development and policy making for the rice industry.

With such a mission, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has established the functions and tasks of the Council as well as the Council's operating regulations so that the Council can operate effectively and substantially.

Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has drafted a Submission to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister in charge and related documents on the establishment of the National Rice Council and on August 1, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Official Dispatch No. 5017/BCT-XNK to Ministries, branches, localities, and Associations to seek opinions before reporting to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in charge. Some specific contents are as follows:

The Council members include 1 Chairman of the Council: Deputy Prime Minister; 2 permanent Vice Chairmen of the Council are the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Council members are representatives of the leaders of the Ministries: Natural Resources and Environment, Planning and Investment, Finance, Science and Technology, Foreign Affairs; representatives of the leaders of the People's Committees of some localities.

In terms of function, the Council is an inter-sectoral coordination organization that advises the Prime Minister on research, direction, and coordination to resolve important inter-sectoral issues related to the development of the rice industry.

The Council is responsible for researching and proposing to the Government and the Prime Minister policies, strategies, mechanisms and policies to create a transparent and effective legal environment, ensure market stability and development, promote comprehensive and effective development of the rice industry, contribute to ensuring social welfare and national food security, develop production and export towards sustainable goals.

Research, advise, recommend, and propose to the Prime Minister directions and solutions to solve important, inter-sectoral issues in the development and implementation of policies, strategies, mechanisms, and policies to promote the development of the rice industry.

Assist the Prime Minister in directing and coordinating ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial and municipal People's Committees, and relevant agencies and organizations in resolving important, inter-sectoral issues in the development of the rice industry.

Assist the Government and the Prime Minister in coordinating, urging, and inspecting the implementation of inter-sectoral strategies, programs, mechanisms, policies, and projects on rice.

Provide opinions on strategies, programs, mechanisms, policies... related to the rice industry under the decision-making authority of the Government and Prime Minister.

Closely coordinate with ministries and branches to collect information, analyze and evaluate the production and export situation of rice industry.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/cuc-truong-nguyen-anh-son-thi-truong-quoc-te-dang-dat-ra-thach-thuc-voi-nganh-gao-viet-nam-337283.html