Agro-aqua-forestry in the country increased by 3.4 percent—agriculture by 2.8 percent; forestry by 6.4 percent; aqua products by 4.5 percent and despite difficulties and decline in exports, agro-aqua-forestry exports still remained healthy in 2012, the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry reported.
Vietnam earned US$27.5 billion from agro-aqua-forestry exports in 2012, a year-on-year rise of 10 percent.
Import of agriculture commodities and fertilizer touched $16.94 billion, whereas in exports the figure reached $10.6 billion.
This is the first time this sector has earned such a high amount since 1993, despite several barriers such as food safety control, rampant deforestation, slow transfer to new model of production, tardy prevention of diseases and natural calamity.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai stressed that this sector has performed a key role in the country’s economy as it remains healthy with a satisfactory growth rate.
Yet to maintain sustainability, the deputy PM asked the sector to carry out re-structuring plans, remove barriers, expand markets and apply scientific methods in production for better results. Furthermore, the sector should call for more social contributions.
