What do you think about agricultural production and export in 2024?

In 2024, the agriculture and rural development sector faced intertwined advantages, difficulties and challenges at work, characterized by strong market fluctuations, severe hot weather, droughts, storms in the Central Highlands and Central Coast regions, saline intrusion in southern provinces and cities, and especially Yagi Typhoon that caused considerable damage to agricultural production in northern provinces.

However, with the close and consistent attention and direction from the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister, along with the collective effort, consensus, and creativity of all levels of government, localities, the business community and farmers, the agricultural and rural development sector overcame the challenges it faced. Vietnamese agriculture not only ensured national food security but also achieved strong and deep global integration. Many key agricultural products expanded their markets, and the country's agricultural exports reached several new record highs.

In 2024, the total agricultural production value was estimated to grow by 3.3%, the forest coverage rate was 42.02%; 78.7% of communes met new rural development standards; and 58% of rural households had access to clean standard water. The total export value of agricultural, forest and aquatic products hit a record high of US$62.5 billion, up 18.7% year on year. The trade surplus widened to a new record of US$17.9 billion, up 46.8%. Particularly, key agricultural exports expanded 22.4% year on year to US$32.8 billion; livestock exports were up 6.5% to US$533.6 million; main forest products jumped 19.4% to US$17.28 billion; and aquatic shipments surged 12.2% to US$10.07 billion. Seven exports earned over US$3 billion (one more than in 2023).

The agricultural production structure continued to shift appropriately to integrate more multi-value, to be more effective and to be linked to the market. The share of competitive, high-valued subsectors and products increased.

The agricultural sector strongly shifted its thinking to agricultural economics, added value and product quality, gradually changed the approach from brown agriculture to green agriculture, and expanded organic agricultural production. The sector effectively implemented the “Sustainable development of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission specialized rice associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030” Project.

The approval and implementation of projects to boost agricultural, forest and aquatic exports to major markets (the United States, China, Japan and the EU) from 2023, combined with solutions to open new potential markets, negotiate and sign new orders in 2024, was effective.

For example, in 2024, the first Vietnamese fruit festival was held in Beijing, China, a major political, economic, and cultural hub, as well as a high-demand, large-scale market. This was a step forward when Vietnamese fruits were mostly exported across the border trade in a small scale into southern Chinese bordering provinces like Guangxi and Yunnan in the past. Besides, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program saw significant growth, with over 14,600 products receiving 3-star quality certification, an increase of more than 3,500 products compared to 2023.

What are the goals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for 2025?

2025 is the final year for accelerating to complete the 5-year Agricultural Development Plan 2021-2025 and the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the fourth year of implementing the resolution of the 5th Party Central Committee (13th tenure) on agriculture, farmers and rural areas. The agricultural sector will continue to strongly transform the mindset from agricultural production to agricultural economy, speed up the sectoral restructuring, driven by the development of ecological, green and circular agriculture together with new modern rural development and the development of the rural economy and civilized farmers. Focus will be placed on removing difficulties and obstacles and minimizing negative impacts of epidemics, market fluctuations and natural disasters to increase exports, grasp opportunities from EVFTA and CPTPP agreements for Vietnamese agricultural products. The agricultural, forest and fishery sector targeted to expand 3.3-3.4% and earn a total export value of US$64-65 billion in the year. Over 80% of communes will meet new rural development standards while the forest coverage rate remains stable at 42.02%. 60% of rural households have access to clean standard water.

To achieve these objectives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will focus on driving sector restructuring, enhancing productivity, and improving the quality of agricultural products, as well as boosting production and business efficiency. The ministry will prioritize the development of markets for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, while strengthening cooperation and linkages in the production and consumption of these products within global value chains. It will also promote research, the transfer, and application of high and clean technologies. The ministry will also effectively implement the national target program for building new rural areas (2021-2025) and invest in agricultural and rural infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of irrigation and disaster prevention efforts.

Could you tell us how the agricultural sector will proactively adapt to ensure accelerating and disruptive development in the new context?

In 2025, while restructuring the "Refined - Lean - Strong - Effective - Efficient" apparatus according to Resolution 18-NQ/TW of the Party Central Executive Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to reform and perfect institutions, and ensure regulatory consistency to unlock resources to lead the country firmly into a new era - the ascending era of Vietnamese people.

The ministry will continue its efforts to restructure and optimize its organizational apparatus, with emphasis on perfecting institutions because institutions are resources and driving forces; quickly remove bottlenecks; and value time, intelligence and timely actions as decisive factors for success.

The ministry will promote agricultural restructuring and pillar sector-specific groups, restructure production by region, effectively implement the One Commune One Product Program, and actively carry out the Project "Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030".

The sector will reorganize production toward sustainable development, apply high technology, develop quality and advantageous products, develop agribusinesses, solve fragmented smallholding production, adopt three strategic breakthrough stages in agriculture, enhance the five-stakeholder connection: farmers, authorities, businesses, banks and scientists, with a focus on the farmer-business partnership. Additionally, it will promote digital transformation, industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

The sector will actively and effectively implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; and develop marine economy, foster sustainable aquaculture, catch and process seafood, and expand downstream processing.

Thank you so much!