Agriculture sector aims to complete 1.2 percent growth target

Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector was urged to exert all-out efforts in the remaining months of the year to realise the sector’s growth target of at least 1.2 percent in 2016.

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD) in Hanoi on November 9, Deputy Minister Ha Cong Tuan said the sector will take measures to maintain growth of fruit, vegetable and aquaculture exports.

He asked for special attention to fostering exports, controlling quality of exports and ensuring food safety to ensure entry to demanding markets like Japan and Europe.

According to the deputy minister, Vietnam’s key aquatic exports like shrimp and Tra fish recorded stable growth in the first ten months of 2016.
Export turnover of fruit and vegetables is estimated to reach about 2.5 billion USD, whilst aquaculture growth is expected to increase 7-8 percent.

The breeding and forestry industries are set to reach growth of 5 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Regarding the livestock industry, localities were requested to keep track of the epidemiological situation, especially in the rainy season.

The Department of Livestock Production is responsible for outlining vaccination plans and directing localities to implement them.

The MARD also asked sectors and localities to devise measures to deal with the La Nina phenomenon, which causes rain and negative effects on agriculture production, especially this year’s winter-spring rice crop and the growing of industrial plants.

If these key fields can maintain their growth in 2016’s remaining months, they will help ensure the sector’s yearly growth target, compensating for the declining growth of food items, including rice, Tuan said.-VNA