The minister also said that the countryside has changed rapidly, and people's living standards have improved markedly.

He asserted that this result is contributed by the hard work and creativity of farmers, the Party's leadership, and the direction of the government.

However, at the third session of the 15^th National Assembly, the minister also agreed with the comments of some delegates that the agricultural sector is facing a lot of difficulties and challenges at present.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh said that after more than 30 years of doi moi, the agricultural sector has seen many breakthroughs for development and great strides in various fields.

The most prominent would be the export of agricultural products, which increased by 16.8 per cent. For instance, pepper exports are still leading over the world, coffee exports rank second globally, and rice exports reached nearly three million tonnes, up 10.3 per cent.

"These are very good results that reaffirm that agriculture is the backbone of the economy," said DPM Thanh.

He also pointed out shortcomings and solutions for the coming time. All levels and branches from the central to local levels would need to focus on and implement the resolutions of the fifth Plenum of the 13^th Central Committee on agriculture, farmers, rural areas, improving the efficiency of the collective and cooperative economy, as well as perfecting institutions and policies on land management and use.

He said that the government would direct the implementation of a number of key tasks and solutions such as renovating the organisation of production and business in agriculture and forming large-scale agricultural production areas.

"It is necessary to boost trade promotion so that agricultural products can soon be officially exported to major markets, gradually cut down non-quota exports. We will consider supporting credit and tax exemption and reduction to call businesses to invest in the production of agricultural materials and fertilisers and agricultural product processing industry," emphasised DPM Thanh.

Speaking at the end of the Q&A session on agriculture and rural areas, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asserted that agriculture, farmers, and rural areas are strategic issues, significantly contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development, maintaining political stability, and ensuring national defence.

He highlighted the role of high-quality human resources for agricultural production and business, processing and preserving agricultural products. "We should strive to enable Vietnam to be one of the leading agricultural countries with a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly industry," said Hue.

He also confirmed the contribution of cooperatives to agricultural development and set the target to have 25,000 new cooperatives in agriculture by the end of 2025.