Businesses’ engagement needed for agricultural production

A new agricultural production model. Enterprises are encouraged to invest in agriculture to improve the quality of agriproducts. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector must draw businesses’ more engagement as they will bring new technologies into production to help farmers create competitive products, according to experts.

Speaking at a conference in Hanoi on May 27 on the prospects of Vietnam’s agricultural market in 2016, Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that in the medium and long term, the sector needs to restructure its products, firstly coffee, rice, pepper and seafood.

It is necessary to overcome consequences of natural disasters and control diseases to boost supplies while ensuring food hygiene and safety, one of the hot issues today, he noted.

Le Van Binh, deputy head of the National Assembly Office’s Department of Economic Affairs, said free trade agreements would open up opportunities for Vietnam to expand its agriproduct export market in the face of technical barriers as well as fierce competition from other countries.

However, climate change and new diseases are posing challenges to Vietnam’s agriculture, he said.

JongHa Bae, FAO Representative in Vietnam, said Vietnam should increase investment in rural infrastructure, develop geographical indications for quality products as well as boost farmers’ adaptability in the integration process.-VNA