The Government has many policies and measures to rapidly develop economic sectors, including sustainable agricultural development. Agricultural development is combined with effective exploitation of natural resources, reduction of environmental pollution, resettlement of social affairs like employment, economic restructuring and guarantee of national food security.
Three target programmes
According to a new resolution of the Government on investment for 21 target programmes from 2016 to 2020, the total implemented capital will be VND1,139,235 billion. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development undertakes three target programmes: Sustainable fishery economy development target programme, sustainable forestry economy development target programme and target programme for agricultural economic restructuring, disaster prevention and mitigation and people’s livelihood stabilisation. These three programmes will take VND638,782 billion, accounting for more than 56 per cent of the total capital of 21 target programmes.
The sustainable fishery economy development target programme will need VND49,248 billion. Fishery is a big production sector with rational production structure and organisation form. It has high productivity and quality, high effectiveness and competitiveness, and steady integration into international economy. People engaged in fishery have gradually increased incomes and living standards. Besides, the programme will protect the ecological environment, aquatic resources, and national defence and security.
From now to 2020, the average annual growth of aquaculture production value will reach 6 per cent, the total output of aquatic products will climb to 6.5 - 7 million tonnes, and aquatic export value will amount to US$8 - 9 billion. All baby fish species will be bred. All fish farming areas will be applied VietGAP certificates and similar certifications (GlobalGAP, ASC and BAP).
The sustainable forestry economy development target programme is granted VND59,599 billion. The programmes aims at raising productivity, quality and value of forest, increasing the production value of forest per unit area, relieving disaster reduction, protecting ecological environment, effectively responding to climate change and sea level rise. It also targets at creating jobs, increasing incomes, eradicate hunger and reduce poverty, improving livelihoods of people working in forestry, building new countryside, and maintaining national security, defence and social order.
From now to 2020, the forestry production growth will be 5.5 - 6 per cent a year, the forest coverage will increase to 42 per cent and the forest area will climb to 14.4 million hectares. Woodwork export value will stay at US$8 - 8.5 billion. Besides, the programme will maintain 25 million jobs, increase incomes, eradicate hunger, reduce poverty and raise livelihoods of forest-dependent people.
The biggest programme is the target programme for agricultural economic restructuring, disaster prevention and mitigation and people’s livelihood stabilisation with a total budget of VND529,935 billion. This programme will support the livestock farming sector to increase added value, prevent disaster and stabilise livelihoods of rural people.
From now to 2020, the cultivation sector will achieve an average annual production value growth of 2.5 - 3 per cent and the livestock husbandry sector will target at 4 - 05 per cent. The programme will consolidate and renovate 650 km of sea dykes and 550 km of river dikes; repair, upgrade and ensure the safety of 1,150 small and medium water reservoirs; and supply enough fresh water to 12 major islands where many people live. It will stabilise livelihoods for 41,500 households in disaster-prone areas and poor localities and support 2,000 new cooperatives and restructuring 90 per cent agricultural cooperatives according to Cooperative Law 2012.
Sustainable development for integration
Regarding agriculture, farmer and countryside, target programme on new countryside construction launched four years ago has achieved positive results and given a facelift to rural areas.
By clearly planning target programmes, agricultural modernisation has also been strengthened with the accelerating mechanisation, biotechnological application and urban agricultural production. Modern agriculture must be associated with product improvement, thus gradually removing inappropriate production practices. Production must be truly effective and directed towards higher added value. Farmers will have their interests increased in production, supply and consumption chains.
As Vietnam signed bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, the deeper integration wide into the world economy will shape a new benchmark for global trade. The agricultural sector is developing strongly and defying new challenges.
Huong Ly
Vietnamese
