Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he expects the northern port city of Hai Phong will take the lead in developing a modern agricultural industry while addressing a conference on October 15 to review the implementation of the national programme on new-style rural building areas in the city in 2010-2020.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits a pavilion showcasing
Hai Phong's agricultural products (Photo: VNA) 

He congratulated Hai Phong on its achievements in the field, contributing significantly to the achievement in rural development across the country. 

The PM said building new-style rural areas is a strategic and long-term revolution, demonstrating the due attention of the Party and State to agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

The programme also creates a firm foundation for the country’s modernisation and industrialisation, which needs the active involvement of the whole society, he said.

The PM asked Hai Phong to exert more efforts as no district in the city has been recognised as new-style rural area, while 40 districts nationwide have gained this status.

He suggested Hai Phong address small-scale agricultural production and waste treatment while diversifying products with high quality for exports.

According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung, all of the 139 rural communes in the city have met all criteria for new rural areas.

Over 92 percent of rural households in the city have accessed to clean water. Only one percent of households are living under the poverty line (the nationwide proportion is 4.5 percent). The annual per capita income in rural areas in 2019 is estimated at 55 million VND (2,366 USD), up 18.05 million VND against 2015.

The city strives to have all districts meet new-style rural criteria, and four districts, 20 communes, and 100 hamlets meet criteria for model new-style rural areas by 2025.

On this occasion, the municipal People’s Committee presented emulation flags to two collectives, certificates of merit to 84 collectives and 298 individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the implementation of the national target programme on building new-style rural areas.