Nghe An takes the lead in agricultural export market 'post' Covid-19
(Baonghean) - Implementing the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in proactively meeting both domestic and export needs, "anticipating" the Chinese market when the epidemic ends, Nghe An's agricultural sector is resolutely restructuring and reorganizing production, especially essential items such as rice, meat, fish, green vegetables...
Meet domestic and export needs
In the first two months of this year, due to the strong impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the export turnover of Vietnam's agricultural sector only reached 5.34 billion USD, down 2.8% over the same period in 2019. The import turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products is estimated at about 4.3 billion USD, down 6.7% over the same period in 2019.
Not only being severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the agricultural sector also has to face the impact of climate change causing drought and saltwater intrusion to appear right from the beginning of the year; the risk of diseases in livestock has not been completely controlled; the yellow card for exporting marine seafood has not been removed...
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| Nghi Loc farmers use mechanization in rice production. Photo: Phu Huong |
However, in line with the Government's directive, the more difficult the situation, the more calm we need to be. The agricultural sector must have appropriate solutions to produce to meet the food needs of nearly 100 million people. At the same time, we must meet export needs, not let interruptions cause loss of markets; and meet the "explosive" demand for food and foodstuffs after the pandemic ends.
In 2020, Vietnam is expected to produce 43.4 million tons of rice; 4.7 million tons of corn; 18.2 million tons of vegetables and 13.3 million tons of fruit. In addition, it is expected to produce 5.8 million tons of meat of all kinds; 8.5 million tons of seafood. The export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery products is targeted at 42 billion USD. Thus, the output of major agricultural products will not only meet domestic demand but also have surplus for export.
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| Graphics: Lam Tung |
At the “Conference on promoting agricultural production during the Covid-19 pandemic” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, many solutions were proposed, with the goal of producing enough to meet domestic consumption and export needs, not only during the pandemic but also to “anticipate” when the pandemic ends. “Trade promotion activities must continue to be implemented immediately after China has controlled the Covid-19 pandemic and the neighboring country announces its normal reopening.
On the other hand, after an epidemic, there will usually be an explosion in demand for food because many epidemic-affected areas have to stop production, and there is a shortage of supply - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong directed and requested that sectors and localities must strengthen production promotion, focus on disease control measures, not let it arise, not let food prices stay high to prevent profiteering, maintain production so that when the epidemic ends, there will continue to be momentum to develop production, ensuring the goals of food security and export.
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| Concentrated vegetable growing area in Hung Dong commune, Vinh city. Photo: Phu Huong |
Clearly orienting Nghe An agricultural market
To date, Nghe An has planted over 124,903 hectares of various crops, including over 91,673 hectares of rice, nearly 16,000 hectares of corn, over 11,000 hectares of vegetables and beans, and nearly 11,000 hectares of peanuts. The province currently has nearly 730,000 buffaloes and cows, a total herd of over 864,000 pigs, over 26 million poultry, etc.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van De - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we currently have a relatively large amount of unsold seafood products in stock, seafood prices have decreased by 20-30% compared to the same period last year; export items to China and Middle Eastern countries such as tea, tapioca starch, and dried seafood have been severely affected.
Meanwhile, the epidemic situation in livestock, especially African swine fever, is still complicated and shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the whole province still has 26 communes in 8 districts with the epidemic that has not passed 30 days.
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| Nghe An currently has more than 24 million poultry and waterfowl. Photo: Xuan Hoang |
In the long term, continue to resolutely restructure production towards adapting to climate change, promoting regional advantages. Focus on market factors, especially large markets to have appropriate production orientation. Develop production focusing on key products and those with favorable market signals such as rice and fruit trees. Prioritize research and application of high technology in preservation and processing while encouraging businesses to invest in linking with farmers in the value chain for key crops," said Mr. Nguyen Van De.
At the same time, synchronously deploy solutions to continue controlling diseases in livestock farming, speed up the progress of pig herd restoration in an appropriate manner as well as encourage the expansion of grass-fed cattle herds, which is a development advantage in the mountainous areas of Nghe An.
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| Developing products with good market signals such as fruit trees. Photo: Phu Huong |
In the first two months of this year, the province's total aquaculture area reached nearly 16,000 hectares, with a total output of over 27,000 tons. In the coming time, we will continue to focus on developing aquaculture of key species and species with high economic value towards increasing commercial value and sustainable development.
As one of the localities with a large offshore fishing fleet of more than 1,300 vessels with a length of 15 m or more, Nghe An will focus on monitoring and grasping weather conditions as well as information on aquatic resources to promptly direct and mobilize fishing boats to produce suitable occupations for effective exploitation.
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| Quynh Lap fishing port is bustling with seafood trading activities. |
“To overcome this difficult period, ensuring both domestic demand and sales abroad, we are proposing that the Central Government support chemicals and vaccines, issue policies in the prevention and support of the destruction of African swine fever when Decision No. 793 of the Prime Minister expired on December 31, 2019; support Nghe An in building models for developing biosafety livestock farming. At the same time, we pay attention to strongly developing the domestic market, expanding foreign markets, especially for products that have long depended heavily on the Chinese market such as seafood, fruits, etc. Regularly report market developments so that localities can promptly grasp and have directions for production and consumption” - Mr. Nguyen Van De shared.
“To achieve the set goals, the first thing is to identify early and clearly the risks and challenges to propose appropriate solutions; focus on directing strongly and synchronously with the participation of the State, businesses and people; discover advantages, turn risks into opportunities, exploit all opportunities; clearly define the responsibility of the leader in implementing the targets”.
