Agricultural sector strives for 3 percent GDP growth in 2019

The agricultural sector targets 3 percent in gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2019. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector targets 3 percent in gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2019, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

It will strive for some 42-43 billion USD in export revenue, 48-50 percent of communes recognised as new-style rural areas, and 41.85 percent in forest coverage.

The ministry said that the sector enjoyed a successful 2018 when it contributed 8.7 percent to the country’s economic growth in the year. The value of agriculture, forestry and fishery expanded 3.76 percent, the highest level in recent seven years. Meanwhile, the export of agro-forestry-fishery products hit a record high of 40 billion USD.

As of the end of 2018, a total of 3,787 communes nationwide or 42.4 percent had been recognised as new-style rural areas, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.02 percent. 

According to the National Coordination Office of the National Target Programme on New Rural Development, the southern province of Dong Nai has taken the lead in this regard, with all of 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. Rural residents donated more than 18.3 trillion VND to implement the programme.

The robust results were spurred by strong restructuring, which shifts from quantity to quality and added value, and from small-scale production to value chain.

However, the ministry said that the growth is not sustainable as there is a shortage of connection between farmers and cooperatives and businesses