Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector aims for a growth rate of  2.8 percent and export earnings of 44 billion USD this year, heard a press conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on October 5.

According to Nguyen Van Viet, head of the ministry’s Planning Department, during January – September, the sector’s added value grew at a rate of 2.74 percent and contributed 23.52 percent to the overall growth of the economy. The industry ensured an abundant supply of food, serving domestic consumption and export.

The agricultural growth rate was kept at 2.74 percent mostly thanks to the contribution of the cultivation area. Fisheries saw a strong decline in the third quarter, resulting in a slight 0.66 percent growth in the nine-month period.  

Viet said to achieve the 2.8 percent growth target, the livestock and fishery areas must attain strong growth in the fourth quarter, because there is not much room for growth in cultivation from now to the end of the year.

Therefore, the ministry has issued a plan of action that focuses on directing production suitable to weather conditions and COVID-19 development in each locality; promoting market development and facilitating domestic consumption and exports; and intensifying natural disasters alleviation measures.

Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fishery, said the industry will re-organise fishery exploitation and develop a variety of aquaculture species in a bid to achieve this year's production and export targets./.