Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is striving tobecome a transparent, responsible and sustainable producer and supplier of foodand foodstuff under a draft strategy on agricultural and rural development for2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050.

The strategy, which was sketched out by the Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), targets ecological and sustainableagriculture.

Vietnam’s commitments at the United Nations FoodSystems Summit and the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of theParties (COP26) have been integrated into the strategy.

The agricultural sector is facing challenges presentedby the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, intensive and extensiveinternational integration, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, natural disasters,diseases, climate change, and great changes in consumption markets.

Tran Cong Thang, head of the Institute of Policy andStrategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, said such challenges requirethe sector to reform itself and work to create opportunities for agriculture andrural areas.

Therefore, the strategy needs new views andorientations, and specific actions to reboot the sector and utilise new opportunities.

Agriculture should develop effectively and sustainablyin terms of economy, society and environment, he said, suggesting the sectorbring into full play resources in land, water, personnel, history, culture,science-technology and innovations.

Thang also stressed the need to shift the mindset fromagricultural production to agricultural economy.

Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head of the InternationalCooperation Department under MARD, suggested Vietnam make use ofby-products to reduce pollution and emissions, and create values and jobs, thusforming modern, dynamic rural areas.

Cao Duc Phat, former head of the Party Central Committee’sEconomic Commission, said the strategy is expected to integrate economic, socialand environmental values.

Although there is ample room for the domesticagricultural sector to grow further, the resources are limited, he said, urgingthe sector to create added values by cutting production costs, increasingproduct values and utilising science-technology.

Households should coordinate with businesses togradually engage in national and international value chains, Phat added.

MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed his hope that withthe measures, the domestic agriculture will see improved quality and win anecology brand./.