National Assembly deputies proposed the Government devise result-oriented polices to support farmers during the eighth ongoing session of the 13th legislature in Hanoi on November 17.

Tran Du Lich, a representative from Ho Chi Minh City, said Vietnam boasts a number of natural advantages, especially when it comes to agriculture, fishery, and sea-based economy. The separate efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in agricultural restructuring, however, have not been able to address the existing challenges, he noted.

It is important to help farmers change their production methods in order to cope with natural and market risks, including prices and foreign exchange rates, he suggested.

Meanwhile, deputy Huynh Van Tinh from southern Tien Giang province, called upon the Government to devise policy to develop markets for farm produce, while tightening inspections and handling fake goods such as fertiliser and pesticide.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said the country had enough food provisions to provide for both domestic consumption and exports. It is however necessary to increase income for poverty-stricken households and ensure food security for all people nationwide.

He noted that the Government also adopted policies to help farmers grow other crops that fetch higher value than rice.-VNA