Strategic solutions devised to achieve 4% growth in agriculture and environment sectors

Expanding market, optimizing production

At a meeting held on April 1, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy chaired a review session on the action plan aimed at ensuring a 4% growth rate for the sector and fulfilling the total agricultural-forestry-fishery (AFF) export turnover goal for the year.

To align with the 4% growth target, departments and agencies under the Ministry have reassessed and revised key indicators and growth benchmarks set out in the original scenario. The Department of Planning and Finance has been assigned to draft the 2025 Action Plan, and is currently collecting input from relevant units to finalize implementation strategies.

The Ministry emphasized that expanding export markets, optimizing production, and ensuring timely, data-driven policy adjustments will be critical to realizing the sector’s goals amid a dynamic global trade environment.

The goal set for growth is maintaining the added value of AFF area from 4% to above. In which, added value of agricultural sector is expected to reach 3.85%, crop production sector is expected to hit from 2.4-2.9% and livestock productin from 5.7 – 5.98%. Fishery is expected to increased by 4.35% and forestry hitting the growth rate of 5.47%.

In the same time, together with growth goal, the agriculture sector directs toward total AFF export of 65 billion USD, thriving to hit the milestone of 70 billion USD.

One of the priorities, according to Ngo Hong Phong, Director of the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development, is the removal of technical barriers in order to achieve the previous goal.

Phong also evaluated the Middle East market's large potential.  In order to ensure that enterprises are aware of Halal standards, the Department will conduct numerous seminars to raise understanding of significant Islamic market issues.

During President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s recent visit to Vietnam, Brazil announced it is considering easing technical requirements for imported pangasius, creating more favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses.  Vietnam will open its market to Brazilian tilapia in exchange, as part of its efforts to increase bilateral trade in agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.

However, in the first quarter of this year, fruit and vegetable exports dropped by 11.3% compared to the same period in 2024.  In an effort to resolve this issue, the Department will collaborate with the Vietnam Agriculture and NatureNewspaper to organize the 970 Agricultural Connection Forum. This forum will be focused on the fruit and vegetable sector and will discuss potential solutions.

Currently, the Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development is concentrating on the expansion of the pilot program to establish raw material zones, as well as the revision and modification of policies that assist cooperatives, businesses, and farmers in the development of domestic production.

The raw material zone initiative is currently being implemented in 11 provinces, with a focus on key crops in main production regions across the country, as per Director Le Duc Thinh.  The Department is also prioritizing infrastructure investment in these zones, reorganizing production, and promoting stronger linkages between cooperatives and enterprises in addition to scaling up production.

The Department has finalized a handbook on the construction of raw material zones to guarantee its successful implementation.  Its following goal is to resolve the current obstacles associated with these regions.  In particular, it is expected that land investment policies that are customized to raw material areas will establish more favorable conditions for enterprises and cooperatives to sustain consistent production.

Determined to achieving a breakthrough

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy concluded a critical conference on agricultural development strategies by emphasizing the importance of close coordination among all departments and agencies in the development and finalization of their respective detailed action plans. A firm deadline of April 5 has been established.

The Minister emphasized the importance of closely aligning implementation plans and scenarios with the master plans, programs, and strategic projects that have already been defined by the government.  Although our initial growth objective was 3.5%, we must now adjust it to 4%.  Therefore, certain tasks that were previously scheduled for the long term must now be accelerated.

He observed that a critical group of solutions must concentrate on enhancing productivity, quality, and efficacy in the production and business activities of agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries.

Minister Duy asserts that the sector's restructuring should prioritize the enhancement of product quality and added value, in addition to productivity.  “We cannot rely solely on boosting output, as land resources are limited.  Therefore, restructuring must go hand in hand with reorganizing production in a more effective and sustainable manner.”

In addition, the Minister underscored the necessity of comprehensive administrative reform to streamline lengthy procedures.  He argued for the reduction of the time necessary for the research and implementation of new projects and products in agriculture.

“For instance,” he noted, “in the crop seed sector, it can take up to ten years to develop a new variety.  This clearly illustrates delays in applying scientific and technological advances to real-world production.”

The Minister encouraged every relevant entities to prioritize international integration in their forthcoming strategies with respect to science and technology.  In addition, he concurred with the proposals to establish reputable, high-quality agricultural brands and suggested that the action plan incorporate supplementary measures to enhance public communication, food safety, and processing.

In order to prevent public uncertainty caused by misinformation, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy underscored the necessity of enhancing communication efforts, particularly in emergency situations such as disease outbreaks or price volatility.

“In recent times, a lack of accurate information on disease outbreaks, prices, and production volumes has led to misunderstandings within society.  We must improve our communication work, especially in times of crisis,” the Minister stated.

He further emphasized the necessity of digital transformation by suggesting the creation of a "data handbook" that resembles a pocket calendar.  "This would enable Ministry leaders to immediately access critical figures on pricing, exports, output, and other critical indicators," he elaborated.

Minister Duy expressed confidence that the 4% growth objective is still possible with the concerted efforts of relevant units and agencies, despite the fact that the first quarter has concluded and only three more quarters have to be completed.  Nevertheless, he emphasized that this would necessitate more concrete and clearly defined solutions, particularly in the areas of task assignments, responsibility allocation, and deliverables deadlines.

He directed the Department of Planning and Finance, along with the appropriate departments and directorates, to expedite the review of current plans and to suggest the requisite modifications and supplementary solutions.  He specifically underscored the necessity of explicitly designating lead and coordinating units to prevent responsibilities from overlapping and to guarantee the successful execution of tasks and solutions.

According to the Minister, the AFF sector's growth indicators in the first quarter of 2025 are showing promising indications.  Initial objectives are anticipated to be exceeded by the agriculture and fisheries segments, which are anticipated to expand by approximately 3.69%.