Dong Thap targets 4.7% agricultural growth in 2026

In the first half of 2026, Dong Thap Province's agriculture and environment sector recorded strong performance, with total production value exceeding USD 1.45 billion, and growth outpaced the planned scenario, ranking second in the Mekong Delta.

Building on these results, the province has raised its target for the sector's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth to 4.7% by the end of the year, 0.7 percentage points higher than the original target.

The figures were announced at the conference reviewing the performance of Dong Thap's Department of Agriculture and Environment in the first six months of 2026 and outlining priorities for the remainder of the year.

According to Le Ha Luan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the sector generated more than USD 1.45 billion in production value during the first half of the year, achieving a growth rate of 4.15%, compared with the planned target of 3.8%.

Key production indicators continued to show positive momentum. Rice cultivation reached around 80% of the annual target, vegetable production exceeded 76%, and fruit-growing areas achieved 99.2% of the yearly plan. Meanwhile, the livestock sector continued its transition toward modern, technology-driven farming, with a gradual shift away from small household production to larger-scale commercial farms.

Notably, 88% of livestock farms have adopted waste treatment and environmental protection technologies, helping improve production efficiency, reduce emissions, and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.

Efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have also been strengthened, contributing to greater compliance among fishers and supporting Viet Nam's efforts to have the European Commission (EC) lift its "yellow card" warning.

Despite these achievements, the agriculture and environment sector continues to face significant challenges. Prices of many agricultural products have declined, while the costs of production inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides, animal feed, and other farming expenses, have continued to rise, placing increasing pressure on farmers' profitability and incomes.

To achieve its growth target in the second half of the year, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will focus on implementing comprehensive measures to expand agricultural production, increase the value of farm products, strengthen market linkages, and enhance resilience to climate change and other emerging risks.

Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, endorsed the growth scenario proposed by the agriculture sector and instructed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to promptly finalize response plans for saltwater intrusion, review the irrigation system, and recommend measures to secure water supplies for agricultural production.

He also stressed the need to address sediment buildup and blockages in canals and waterways by removing water hyacinths and implementing effective water regulation measures. At the same time, the department was instructed to comprehensively review cropping patterns, planting schedules, production volumes, and product quality across key commodities to develop appropriate marketing plans and avoid supply gluts or market imbalances during harvest seasons.

The provincial People's Committee also directed the agriculture and environment sector to strengthen inspections to ensure that growers continue to comply with the requirements for maintaining growing area codes, thereby meeting the standards of export markets. In addition, relevant agencies were asked to make thorough preparations for the upcoming inspection by EC on efforts to combat IUU fishing, contributing to Viet Nam's goal of having the EC lift its "yellow card" warning on seafood exports.

In addition, the province will accelerate the implementation of the National Target Programme on New Rural Development for the 2026-2030 period, integrating ecological agriculture, the circular economy, higher value-added production, and sustainable value chains. These efforts are expected to play a key role in helping Dong Thap achieve its 4.7% agricultural growth target for 2026.