Statistics released at a MARD meeting in Hanoi yesterday revealed that the sector achieved an increase GDP growth of 2.8% during the first six months of the year, which was higher than the expected 2.5 – 2.6%.
The sector's total production value reached more than VND110,248 billion (US$5.3 billion), an increase of 3.76% compared to the same period last year. Total export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products is estimated at US$13.6 billion, up 14% over the same period last year.
However, the sector still faces a number of challenges such as poor food safety and hygiene, the prevalence of deforestation and forest fires, slow economic restructuring and the threat of livestock and plant diseases, as well as a lack of funding and falling prices for many key products.
By the end of this year, the MARD is determined to implement a wide range of measures to promote production and exports to sustain the growth of the agricultural sector.
MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat said that with a focus on restructuring production towards sustainability, the sector will restructure investment, improve the quality of high-added value products, and accelerate reforms in State-owned enterprises, especially State-owned farms and co-operatives.