National online conference summarizing the Agriculture and Rural Development sector

On January 3, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) held a national online conference to review the work in 2023 and deploy the plan for 2024. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the conference. Attending at the provincial bridge point was comrade Tran Quoc Nam, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

In 2023, in the context of intertwined advantages, difficulties and challenges, however, under the leadership of the Central Party Committee, the National Assembly, and the Government, the entire agriculture and rural development sector has been united in action, organizing the implementation of a strong transformation of innovative thinking, closely following reality, striving to overcome many difficulties, and maintaining high growth momentum. The GDP growth rate of the entire sector reached 3.83%, the highest in recent years, contributing greatly to the 5.05% growth rate of the economy; the total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery products was over 53 billion USD. By the end of 2023, the whole country had 270 district-level units recognized as having completed the task of meeting the new rural standards (NTM) and about 6,370/8,167 communes meeting the new rural standards; of which, 1,612 communes met the advanced new rural standards, 256 communes met the model new rural standards; OCOP products have grown rapidly in quantity and quality, with 11,056 OCOP products achieving 3 stars or higher; forest coverage rate reached 42.02%. Thereby, continuing to affirm its important position and being a pillar of the economy, firmly ensuring food security, promoting economic development of the whole country.

Comrade Tran Quoc Nam, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended the conference at the bridge point of our province.

Implementing the 2024 plan, the agriculture and rural development sector continues to synchronously implement tasks and solutions; organize agricultural production associated with extensive cooperation, develop diverse industries, promote multi-value integration in agricultural, forestry and fishery products; implement the National Target Program on building new rural areas in depth, effectively and sustainably. Strive for a GDP growth rate of the whole sector of 3.0-3.5%, export turnover of 54-55 billion USD; the rate of communes meeting new rural standards of about 80%; rural households using clean water according to standards of 58%, forest coverage rate stable at 42.02%.

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the spirit of overcoming difficulties, flexible and creative leadership and direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, together with the support of all levels, sectors, localities and the joint efforts of the business community and farmers, which have created outstanding results in the past year. Promoting those achievements, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue to thoroughly grasp the Government's guiding principles, take drastic and creative actions, and make breakthroughs in all areas. Orient production plans in line with the market, ensure supply to serve domestic and export needs; focus on research and transfer of science and technology, pay attention to removing barriers and policy mechanisms for agricultural development investment projects; strengthen innovation and develop cooperative economy, expand linkages along the value chain, support localities, businesses and farmers in processing and consuming agricultural products after harvest. Focus on attracting investment resources to modernize agricultural and rural infrastructure; accelerate the process of building new rural areas. Strictly implement solutions to combat illegal fishing, effectively prevent and combat natural disasters, and properly manage forest resources.

Hong Lam

Source