A strong agriculture sector and prosperous farmers are essential for sustainable development, Nguyen Quoc Cuong, President of the Vietnamese Farmers’ Union told the Viet Nam Economic Times.
Many people say agriculture’s role in the national economy is in jeopardy. Do you agree?
The Party and government have issued many policies and mechanisms to help promote our country’s main industry – agriculture. However, they have not really aligned with farmers’ aspirations. This is the main factor causing slow development of the industry.
In my opinion, it is high time policymakers came up with strong yet harmonised policies to convert the presently fragmented production into a tangible agricultural commodity. Only by doing so will our farmers be able to improve their living conditions and enjoy a better life. And as a result, agriculture will once again become a mainstay of the national economy.
Though the industry only contributes around 20 per cent of the country’s GDP, or one third of export turnover, it has provided employment to nearly 50 per cent of the social labour force. Furthermore, nearly 70 per cent of Vietnamese people live in the countryside.
In addition, our economic development depends very much on labour productivity and farmers’ consumption power. Meanwhile, the country’s social stability also depends on the spirit and contributions of people living in the countryside. That’s why I want to emphasise that Viet Nam’s sustainable development depends very much on its level of agriculture development and farmers’ wealth.
What do you think of the government’s policy on “tam nong” (agriculture, farmers and countryside)?
If we look back at the “tam nong” movement launched by the government five years ago, I can say the global financial crisis and economic downturn, coupled with severe natural calamities and epidemics, have seriously affected the movement in our country.
However, with the spirit of self-reliance, intelligence and creativity, our farmers have overcome many difficulties and hardships to record notable achievements in the field of agriculture production and in the campaign to build new rural areas while exporting farm products. On average, the agriculture industry is still able to maintain 3.4 percent growth rate per annum with 16 agricultural commodities being sold in 160 countries worldwide.
In 2006, the export turnover was US$3.2 billion, in 2011 the figure jumped to $9.2 billion and in 2012, it was $10.3 billion.
Though many successes have been recorded, our agriculture, countryside and farmers still face many difficulties and challenges in the years to come. And of course, the challenges will become tougher, particularly in the areas of food quality and safety.
What is the Farmers’ Union’s response to the government’s drive to restructure the agriculture industry?
The first thing we have to do is to consolidate the union’s strengths and enhance solidarity, creativity and innovation from all farmers nationwide in the campaign to build new developments in the countryside. We hope the union will become an important player in solving outstanding thorny countryside issues. And of course, the farmers’ union will be a key partner in developing institutions and policies to protect its members’ legitimate rights in the market economy and international arena.
In our activities, we have adopted the farmer centre concept. We have organised many training courses, including occupational training in a bid to help them expand their businesses.
In addition, we have also provided them with knowledge about the market and supported them in establishing trademarks for their products and outlets.
Last but not least, the Farmers’ Union will closely monitor implementation of the National Targeted Programme on Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas, while encouraging more farmers to become role models in production and business. — VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News