Q1 agro-forestry-fishery sectors grows 3.74%, highest in years

Respond to policy in a proactive, flexible, and timely manner

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) organized a briefing conference in Hanoi on April 13 to evaluate the first quarter's work and outline the tasks for April and the second quarter of 2025.

In response to directives from the Government, the Prime Minister, and arising practical demands, MAE continued to lead, direct, and implement numerous important, urgent, and unforeseen tasks in the first quarter of 2025, according to Le Van Thanh, Chief of the Ministry Office.

The Ministry effectively and promptly implemented the strategic directives of the Central Committee, the Government, and the Prime Minister. Additionally, it led and directed the development of proposals under the working programs of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Government's 2025 work agenda, ensuring that all deadlines were met.

MAE promptly stabilized its internal organization, urgently implemented, and completed the appointment of leadership roles across its affiliated units.

The Ministry's proactive, flexible, and prompt policy response to global and domestic fluctuations was a notable accomplishment of its leadership and administration.

MAE leaders were resolute and actively engaged in the supervision of numerous critical and urgent tasks, such as the following: an action plan to achieve growth targets in agriculture and the environment, as well as the total export turnover of AFF products in 2025; the organization of a conference on rice market stabilization; the preparation of scenarios and solutions to address the U.S.'s imposition of retaliatory tariffs on Vietnamese imports; the review and proposal of revisions to legal documents in agriculture and the environment to implement a two-tier local governance model; the resolution of urgent environmental issues; the monitoring of the IUU fishing enforcement efforts of ministries, sectors, and localities; and the preparation for the fifth inspection by the European Commission (EC) team.

Administrative reform and digital transformation efforts saw significant progress. The Ministry processed nearly 270,000 administrative procedure records in the first quarter, with 99.6% of them being delivered on time.

“Agriculture, forestry, and fishery growth in Q1/2025 reached 3.74%, the highest first-quarter growth in the past four years. The total export turnover of AFF products in the first three months of 2025 reached USD 15.72 billion, up 13.1% compared to the same period in 2024,” Mr. Thanh emphasized.

Realizing intersectoral development objectives

The Ministry openly acknowledged numerous shortcomings and constraints, despite its accomplishments. In particular, the disbursement rate remains below the national average, and the detailed allocation of public investment capital from the 2025 state budget was delayed. The transition and administration of shared electronic information systems, including email, user authentication, the Ministry's web portal, and online meeting platforms, have been slow and not yet effective.

Some specialized units have not been proactive or flexible in their response to market fluctuations and changes in international policies with respect to their direction, administration, and task implementation. Reporting and information submission remain untimely and incomplete.

In April and the second quarter of 2025, the agriculture and environment sector will prioritize several objectives in addition to projects and duties under the Government's and Prime Minister's programs. These include the achievement of growth objectives and the enhancement of the total import-export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. Additionally, the review and proposal of legal amendments to facilitate the implementation of the two-tier local government model are intended to be finalized by June 30, 2025.

MAE will also execute its strategy to implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which pertains to national digital transformation, innovation, and scientific and technological advancements. Additionally, it will respond expeditiously and adaptably to the United States' imposition of retaliatory tariffs on Vietnamese imports.

MAE will implement Resolution No. 66, which pertains to the program intended to simplify and expedite administrative procedures associated with business and production activities in 2025 and 2026, with rigor.

MAE is demonstrating a significant transformation through the implementation of methodical and decisive measures, with the objective of achieving modern, efficient governance in the service of sustainable development by 2025.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy underscored the significance of the conference's opening: "We are implementing a structural reform, a revolution, to optimize the organizational structure of the political system, thereby guaranteeing its effective and efficient operation."

Therefore, the Minister encouraged delegates to participate in a discussion to enhance their comprehension of accomplishments, identify obstacles and constraints, analyze the underlying causes, and extract lessons, in accordance with the reports that were presented and their respective institutional realities. He encouraged them to suggest practical, feasible, and efficient solutions to direct and execute tasks, thereby guaranteeing the achievement of objectives for the second quarter and the entire year of 2025.