Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector targets 3 percent in grossdomestic product (GDP) growth in 2019, according to the Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Development.
It will strive for some 42-43 billion USD in export revenue, 48-50 percent ofcommunes recognised as new-style rural areas, and 41.85 percent in forestcoverage.
The ministry said that the sector enjoyed a successful 2018 when it contributed8.7 percent to the country’s economic growth in the year. The value ofagriculture, forestry and fishery expanded 3.76 percent, the highest level inrecent seven years. Meanwhile, the export of agro-forestry-fishery products hita record high of 40 billion USD.
As of the end of 2018, a total of3,787 communes nationwide or 42.4 percent had been recognised as new-stylerural areas, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.02 percent.
According to the NationalCoordination Office of the National Target Programme on New Rural Development,the southern province of Dong Nai has taken the lead in this regard, with allof its 133 communes gaining the status.
More than 322 trillion VND (13.8 billion USD)has been mobilised to carry out the programme, including 8.7 trillion VND(374.1 million USD) sourced from the State budget, the office said. Ruralresidents donated more than 18.3 trillion VND to implement the programme.
The robust results were spurred by strong restructuring, which shifts fromquantity to quality and added value, and from small-scale production to valuechain.
However, the ministry said that the growth is not sustainable as there is ashortage of connection between farmers and cooperatives and businesses.-VNA