ASEAN promotes sustainable development of agriculture amid Covid-19 outbreak

Vietnam wants to further tighten cooperation within ASEAN to strengthen connectivity of food supply chains of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, assisting micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises to overcome the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The statement was released by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh at the 42nd meeting on ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (ASEAN-AMAF) held on Wednesday.

Speaking at the online meeting, Doanh said it’s needed to push up the application of digital technology in commerce, minimising administrative procedures and strengthening cooperation in food safety control system to promote trade exchange of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the region.

Doanh proposed the delegates solutions to improve the capacity and efficiency of the agricultural, forestry and fishery supply chain to avoid trade disruption and lack of transparency, and reduce food loss and waste.

He also asked delegates of ASEAN countries to introduce credit packages with preferential interest rates from regional and international banks, and monetary funds for households and micro- and small-sized enterprises.

Doanh told that as the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, Vietnam has immediately taken a drastic and synchronised effort to push back and control the outbreak.

“The activities of socio-economic life are being restored and highly appreciated by the domestic and international community. Strengthening sustainable development of agriculture, forestry and fishery is one of the important goals of the Vietnamese Government to ensure national food security, while contributing to solving the global food security issues,” Doanh said.

At the meeting, delegates of ASEAN countries discussed solutions to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak and ensure food security, safety and nutrition.

The delegates adopted the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN region (SPA-FS) in the period 2021-25, which is expected to further ensure food security and nutrition in the future, improving the living standard of farmers in region.