Agricultural sector looks to raise standards

Improving the quality of crop seeds and the professionalism of livestock breeders are two goals of the agricultural sector, according to the director of the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Viet Nam (IAS).

Reviewing the progress of the sector and its future until 2025, Bui Chi Buu said that output and exports of farm produce, including rice, rubber, cashew, pepper, coffee and vegetables, had increased significantly over a decade, but quality was still less competitive than in other countries.

In addition, a lack of basic research on long-term planning and zoning plans for specialised growing areas had hindered the progress of seed development programmes, he said.

According to the Viet Nam Cultivation and Breeding Development Strategy until 2020, the country aims to ensure growth of the cultivation and breeding sectors by 3-3.5 per cent and 6-7 per cent a year, respectively, in terms of value. Based on this strategy, IAS would conduct develop further study to create new crop strains that are high-quality, high-yield, tolerant to drought and resistant to disease. La Van Kinh, IAS’s deputy director, said.

It also aims to increase the proportion of livestock products in the agriculture sector to 42 per cent by 2020, and control diseases in breeding to improve productivity and quality.

By then, pigs, chicken and dairy cattle populations are expected to increase by two per cent, five per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.

The country also targets to increase the output of maize, soybean and other crops for animal feed production in an aim to gradually reduce imports of these products.

To increase competitiveness in the global market and raise farmers’ incomes, it would continue with research to seek measures to reduce production costs and post-harvest losses, and improve product quality in agricultural production.

Conducting studies to improve the quality of dairy cows, pigs, chickens and the professionalism of livestock breeders as well as developing new feed sources and farming methods would also be done.

The aim was to increase the ratio of uncontaminated meat produced, meeting sanitary and disease-free standards.

In addition, IAS would enhance co-operation with international and local organisations in the cultivation and breeding industries. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam agriculture