Thai Binh Agriculture: The pillar of the economy

On November 14, 1945, the Ministry of Agriculture - the predecessor of today's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was established. Accordingly, the Thai Binh agricultural sector was established with the initial name of Thai Binh Agriculture and Forestry Department.

Promote mechanization in rice harvesting.

Proud of tradition

After 80 years of construction, development and integration, in any circumstances, Thai Binh agriculture has always achieved great achievements, fulfilling its role as the foundation and pillar of the economy, making many positive contributions, creating motivation to promote rapid and sustainable production development, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development goals of the province and becoming the "rice granary" of the whole country.

Since ancient times, Thai Binh has been a fertile land, favorable for rice cultivation. People have known how to build dikes, dams, and canals to exploit the land effectively. Throughout feudal history, Thai Binh was not only an important agricultural production area but also played the role of a food warehouse, ensuring food sources for the army in the wars of national defense. During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, Thai Binh was a solid rear base with the slogan "Overweight rice, oversupply of soldiers". In 1966, Thai Binh was the first province in the North to achieve a rice yield of 5.044 tons/ha, marking a milestone in the golden history of the agricultural sector.

Implementing Uncle Ho's teachings and striving to build Thai Binh into a model province in all aspects, the Party Committee and people of Thai Binh always consider agricultural production as the top priority, launching a high-level emulation movement for excellent production, and in all fields, the slogans: "Five-ton fields against the US", "Five-ton heroes" were raised. Thanks to that, rice productivity continuously increased, in 10 years (1965 - 1974), Thai Binh contributed 464,663 tons of food to the central government, exceeding the assigned plan. After the war (1975 - 1985), under the leadership of the Party, with the motto of developing production "From land and labor, from rice and pigs", Thai Binh promoted its combined strength, gradually developed the economy, and improved people's lives. The whole province focused on reorganizing production and improving the management of agricultural cooperatives in parallel with promoting the development of industrial and handicraft production. During this period, Thai Binh created a new step in intensive cultivation to increase crop productivity, especially rice cultivation, expand cultivated area, improve productivity, and always be a pioneer in national construction in the new situation...

Breakthrough to go up

Implementing the Party's innovation policy, with mechanisms and policies to encourage production development, support from all levels and sectors at the central level and the efforts of the people, Thai Binh agriculture and rural areas have made great strides, reaching new milestones. The sector has coordinated with departments, sectors and localities to advise the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council and Provincial People's Committee to promulgate and implement many programs, projects, mechanisms and policies to promote agricultural production, rural development and new rural construction (NTM), contributing to promoting economic development, ensuring social security, adapting to climate change and international integration. In 2024, in the field of cultivation, the total rice area for the year will reach nearly 148,000 hectares, with a yield of over 125 quintals/ha. The area of high-quality rice varieties has gradually increased, accounting for 48.2% of the total area, an increase of 13.8% compared to 2023. The area of safe crop production and good agricultural practices has gradually increased each year. To date, the area certified for food safety has reached over 1,276 hectares, an increase of 1.5 times compared to 2020. The area certified for VietGAP good agricultural practices is nearly 223 hectares, the area assigned with growing area codes is over 323.4 hectares, while in 2020, no area has achieved these certifications.

The livestock sector has developed quite strongly in the form of large-scale farms and ranches, industrial methods and modern technology. Industrial and semi-industrial farm livestock farming has increased strongly, especially in pig farming - currently the majority; industrial poultry and buffalo and cow farming is gradually increasing. Aquaculture has developed in all three types of salt, brackish and fresh water, with a variety of methods, forms and economically valuable farming objects. Production chains have been formed in aquaculture, mainly linking the supply of breeds, feed, chemicals, preparations, machinery and equipment and technical support for people.

In particular, the mechanism and policies for building new rural areas have been clearly effective, ensuring fairness, transparency and encouraging localities and establishments to strongly promote resources among the people, creating new motivation and new momentum for the new rural construction program. In 2019, Thai Binh was one of the first 8 provinces in the country to have 100% of communes meeting new rural standards, completing 3 years ahead of the target set by the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress. To date, the whole province has had 40 communes (18.9% of communes) recognized as meeting advanced new rural standards; 3 communes (7.5% of communes meeting advanced new rural standards) recognized as meeting model new rural standards. The One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has had a positive impact on rural economic development with 261 OCOP products; of which 48 are 4-star products and 213 are 3-star products. The OCOP program not only contributes to increasing the value of agricultural products but also helps promote local specialties. OCOP products have reached many consumption channels and are highly appreciated by the market. The value of OCOP products has increased by 20%, sales revenue has increased by 20 - 30% compared to before participating in the program.

The hydroponic pennywort growing model in Hoa Binh commune (Kien Xuong) brings high economic efficiency.

The journey to

Mr. Nguyen Van Chien, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: In the development journey, Thai Binh has always identified agriculture as an important pillar in economic development, aiming to become the leading agricultural production center in the Red River Delta. Therefore, in the coming time, the industry will focus on developing and modernizing the production of agricultural, forestry and fishery products; perfecting the value chain of agricultural production in the province. Prioritizing the expansion of agricultural production scale according to VietGAP standards and organic agriculture to increase economic efficiency on the same unit of cultivated area. Building concentrated agricultural production areas, applying high technology. Focusing on building agricultural product brands, expanding the consumption areas of agricultural products in the province; creating industry and regional linkages to promote sustainable, effective and highly competitive agricultural production. Developing household economy and cooperative economy with the core being new-style cooperatives; Building new rural areas with synchronous and modern socio-economic infrastructure, associated with the urbanization process, in which smart agricultural production plays a key role to gradually turn rural areas into livable areas.