The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development discussed a wide range of measures for the development of the agricultural sector in 2012 at a two-day meeting in Hanoi on Dec. 24-25.

The sector will focus on restructuring, enhancing quality management of agricultural materials and accelerating the implementation of new rural models.

Delegates at the meeting underlined the need for the sector to pay more attention to improving export value instead of volume.

Deputy Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan said that the sector’s export turnover can strongly increase in the future. However, this requires more investment in advanced technology and mechanism, he noted.

Regarding investment, managers say, as agriculture is not attractive to investors due to many potential risks and low profits, restructuring production is necessary to boost investment in the sector.

In an effort to fulfill the set targets, the sector will renew investment and relevant policies.

According to the ministry estimates, agro-forestry and fisheries export turnover reached nearly 25 billion USD in 2011, up 29 percent against last year and the sector enjoyed a trade surplus of 9.2 billion USD./.