Organic farming – important part of Vietnam’s agriculture

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (2nd from left) at the forum - Credit: VGP

He made the remark while addressing a plenary session of an international forum themed “Vietnam Organic Agriculture – Development and Integration” in Hanoi on December 16.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association, and TH Group. It attracted more than 400 Vietnamese and foreign experts, along with representatives of businesses, ministries, sectors and localities.

PM Phuc said the market’s growing demand is a golden chance for the development of organic agriculture in Vietnam.

He noted the Government will devise necessary institutions, policies, decrees and circulars so as to create conditions for organic agriculture to develop.

Many products of Vietnam can be produced by organic farming, he said, requesting the formation of clean agriculture for nearly 100 million Vietnamese people and for export.

The practice of organic farming in each locality also demonstrates the responsibility towards the community and future generations, he said.

The Government leader added organic agriculture will satisfy the demand of a high-end segment in the market and help Vietnam better integrate into the world. Therefore, it must be developed in a methodological and scientific manner.

Meanwhile, non-organic agriculture should not be underestimated as with high productivity, it will still keep the role of ensuring national food security, PM Phuc noted.

He called on scientists, farmers, businesses and the whole society to engage in developing organic agriculture for the sake of a clean environment and the health and happiness of each Vietnamese people.

At the forum, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said the shift from existing agricultural practices to organic farming with strict standards is very difficult. Thus, it needs joint efforts by the Government, businesses and farmers.

Some speakers said it is necessary to harmonise the interests of farmers and investors so as to consolidate land, which is a condition to boost organic agriculture.

Statistics highlighted at the forum show that organic agriculture is developing rapidly in the world with 51 million hectares and the market potential worth nearly US$82 billion. Thirty-three of the 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam have developed organic farming models, but their scale is still small, about 76,000 hectares in total.