PM attends sum-up conference of agricultural sector

Photo: VGP

 

Addressing the conference in Ha Noi on January 5, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat affirmed that for the past five years, despite difficulties, the agricultural sector has maintained the growth, responded to the increasing demand on food for local consumption and export, raised farmers' incomes, improved rural residents’ living standards, utilized and protected natural resources sustainably.

 

Regarding the 2016 and 2016-2020 plans on developing agriculture and rural areas, Minister Phat noted that the sector aims to build an agricultural industry comprehensively in a modern manner and produce goods sustainably on large scale with high added values to meet diverse local demand and boost export.

 

The sector will foster the construction of new-style rural areas; rapidly elevate incomes and improve rural residents’ living standards; manage and utilize effectively natural resources; protect the ecological environment and contribute to ensuring security and national defence, he said.

 

The sector will strive to achieve a 3% gross domestic product growth in 2016 and 2.5-3% in the 2016-2020 period; reduce poor households to 7.5% in 2016 and 2% per year in the 2016-2020 period; have 23-25% of communes meeting the standards of new-style rural areas in 2016 and 50% in the 2016-2020 period, Phat added.

 

To realize the set targets, Minister Phat urged the sector to boost restructuring and building an advanced agricultural industry, promote the construction of new-style rural areas and rural development, develop agricultural and rural infrastructure and enhance capacity in preventing and mitigating natural disasters.

 

The sector should also develop scientific studies, encourage agricultural development, improve the quality of human resources, proactively take part in international integration, expand markets, innovate production and trade modes in agriculture, enhance management over agricultural materials and food security, protect and utilize effectively natural resources and the environment.