Agriculture still grows, braving African swine fever epidemic
The whole agricultural sector has maintained relatively good growth in the first half of 2019 despite a number of difficulties, especially the African swine fever epidemic, which has left a heavy impact on domestic animal husbandry.
An organic agricultural cooperative in An Binh ward of Rach Gia city, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The whole agricultural sector hasmaintained relatively good growth in the first half of 2019 despite a number ofdifficulties, especially the African swine fever epidemic, which has left aheavy impact on domestic animal husbandry.
The information was released by Deputy Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien at a press meeting in Hanoion June 17.
He noted in the six months, the growth rate ofagricultural production value was estimated at 2.7 – 2.9 percent compared tothe same period last year. That comprises the expansion of 1.68 percent inagriculture (including plant and animal farming), 4.53 percent in forestry, and6.5 percent in fisheries.
The sector has worked to develop cattle, poultryand aquatic farming to make up for a possible pork shortage at the end of thisyear as a result of the African swine fever epidemic.
Tien cited data of the General Statistics Officeas showing that the number of cattle farmed nationwide has increased by 2.9percent while the amount of live cattle sold for meat was about 193,000 tonnes,up 4 percent from a year earlier, thanks to good consumption and high priceswhich have encouraged the farming.
The number of farmed poultry has risen by 11 –12 percent as there were no epidemics. Meanwhile, good growth has also beenrecorded in fisheries and it is hoped at 6.5 – 6.7 percent in 2019.
Highlighting the growth in overseas shipments,the official said the exports target of 43 billion USD for this year is highbut still achievable, adding that the proportion of high-quality products inagricultural production and exports has increased.
Total agro-forestry-fishery exports are estimatedat 19.75 billion USD in the reviewed period, up 2.1 percent year on year.-VNA
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An organic agricultural cooperative in An Binh ward of Rach Gia city, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA) 
