Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has emphasised the role of agriculture, farmers and rural areas in the country’s industrialisation and modernisation.

It should be fully understood that both opportunities and challenge exist in and out the country to ensure that the restructuring of agriculture is in line with common policy, the Party leader remarked on March 14 at a Hanoi conference assessing the five-year implementation of a resolution on agriculture and rural development.

He asked Party committees and authorities at all levels to focus on this key area of development, particularly by creating an appropriate economic structure within each region and locality to fully tap potential. He also called on them to improve forms of production, ensure consistently high-quality and protect the environment.

In addition, agencies need to promptly issue guidance on the implementation of policies stated in the Government’s resolutions and action programmes, ensuring that they match the reality on the ground in each locality. Particular assistance is required on regulations relating to land, investment, tax, funding rural development and vocational training, he added.

The latter will allow farmers to become more self-sufficient and apply advanced science and technology in their production, he argued.

Trong stressed the benefits of building new-style rural areas, suggesting that localities and relevant agencies should improve socio-economic infrastructure by following this model to improve the countryside and maintain national identity.

After five years implementing the Party Resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, the sector has developed in a comprehensive manner, contributing to ensuring national food security and poverty reduction, the conference heard.

During the 2009-2013 period, the agriculture-forestry-fisheries sector enjoyed an annual GDP growth of 2.9 percent and a total export growth of 15.2 percent. In 2013, its export turnover reached 27.5 billion USD.

Participants were also told that the living standards of farmers have also improved, with the average per capita income in rural areas reaching nearly 20 million (roughly 950 USD) in 2013, a twofold increase compared to 2008, and the poverty rate has been sharply reduced.

In addition, necessary infrastructure has been drastically improved, grassroots political systems have continued to be strengthened and social order and security maintained.-VNA