Speaking at the 2025 Dialogue with Farmers Conference on the morning of 10/12 in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that for 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), agriculture, farmers, and rural areas have consistently served as a pillar of the economy. This sector has contributed to macroeconomic stability, inflation control, and social welfare, helping the country alleviate poverty, achieve Millennium Development Goals, and build reputable agricultural product brands in the international market.

Vietnam is entering an upper-middle-income phase, with per capita income projected to exceed 5,000 USD in 2025. To achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045, agriculture must transform based on three pillars: science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for the first 11 months shows that agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports reached 64 billion USD, marking a 12.6% increase and surpassing the 2024 record. This outcome highlights significant growth potential if Vietnam standardizes production, expands markets, and upgrades infrastructure.

The prime minister called on ministries and agencies to unify actions, from institutional improvement and strategic infrastructure investment to effectively implementing 17 free trade agreements with over 60 economies. He emphasized that transport, which accounts for nearly half of public investment capital, is crucial for reducing logistics costs and enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural products. Furthermore, the green economy, circular economy, and combating trade fraud must become standard as Vietnam integrates deeper globally.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 2025 Dialogue with Farmers Conference. Photo: VGP

To elevate quality standards and ensure market transparency, the government will promote the development of an agro-environmental data system, implement national traceability, and cultivate a digitally skilled rural workforce. Credit policies, agricultural insurance, and initiatives to attract young people back to farming are considered decisive factors for the long-term vitality of this sector.

However, for these directions to materialize, the prime minister stressed the need to immediately address fluctuations directly impacting farmers, with the rice sector being the most affected recently.

At the conference, Mr. Do Ha Nam, Chairman of Intimex and Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, noted that the value of agricultural products has surged with high-profit margins in durian, coffee, pepper, and rice. Despite this, farmers still face significant risks. The Philippines, a key market, has changed its policy three times, from import bans to opening a 300,000-ton quota, then temporarily suspending imports again, causing Vietnamese rice prices to fluctuate continuously.

Mr. Nam proposed that the State allow large enterprises and state-owned enterprises to participate in procurement to prevent high-quality rice from being sold at low prices. He also suggested expanding markets to West Asia, where over 600,000 overseas Vietnamese could support consumption.

From a management perspective, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang acknowledged the difficulties faced by rice exports to the Philippines but highlighted that a global demand of approximately 60 million tons per year still offers significant scope for Vietnam. With 7-8 million tons exported, Vietnam maintains its position. He advised businesses to be more proactive in Africa and Southeast Asia and expressed optimism that the one million hectare high-quality rice program will pave the way into the Japanese market from 2025. The Ministry also announced that 34 vocational schools under its purview are ready to provide training tailored to business needs, supplying high-quality labor for new production chains.

The prime minister shared that many Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African countries are willing to allocate land for Vietnam to cooperate in production, ensuring food security. He urged businesses to seize this "golden opportunity" and assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to lead the implementation of trade commitments and support the expansion of sustainable outlets.

Regarding the responsibility to protect rice farmers, the prime minister affirmed that the State must purchase reserves when prices fall to stabilize the market and help farmers produce with confidence. He instructed Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2 to actively participate in procurement, preventing farmers from being "stranded" given that rice has a life cycle of only four months. Concerning the one million hectare high-quality rice project, he requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to review capital and resolve bottlenecks to ensure timely implementation.

Regarding agricultural product quality, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment announced that from 1/1/2026, it will pilot traceability management for durian, applying to both domestic and export markets. This aims to eliminate unsafe products and prevent residues of banned substances like cadmium or rhodamine B. By the end of 2026, all exported agricultural, forestry, and fishery products will require traceability.

The Ministry also aims to reduce dependence on imported animal feed ingredients, which currently account for 70-80% of demand. Minister Thang stated that the Ministry is working with large enterprises such as Hung Nhon and Tan Long and urged localities to coordinate in establishing raw material zones, helping livestock farmers proactively manage supply and reduce costs.

Thi Ha