(VOVworld) – 2014 was an important year for Vietnam’s agriculture sector in implementing the restructuring plan approved by the Prime Minister last June. The sector has developed the large-field farming models and specialized material production zones for exports. Initial results suggest these models will furnish a sustainable development direction for the agricultural sector.

Farmers take care of watermelon trees in Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta.  (Photo: VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khuong)

Under the restructuring scheme, Vietnam’s agriculture sector considers renovation and development of new production models the key to restructuring cultivation, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and irrigation with priority given to promoting production chains and added value.

To date 87,000 hectares of low-yield rice fields have been switched to higher-value crops like corn, peanuts, sesame, and vegetables. Specialized rice-growing models have been applied in 43 provinces, covering 121,000 hectares and linking farmers and enterprises.

Meanwhile, the forestry sector has focused on increasing productivity, quality, and value, improving the added values of wood products, developing a wood market, and building cooperation and value chain linkage.

The fisheries sector has concentrated on restructuring fishing, aquaculture, and the protection of aquatic resources, promoting off-shore fishing while defending the national territorial waters and minimizing post-crop losses.

Nguyen Thi Hong, Director of the Planning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said half of Vietnam’s provinces have implemented the restructuring plan.

Hong noted: “Generally, the cultivation, breeding, irrigation, and aquaculture sectors have all focused their restructuring on improving the quality and value of their products. New production models have been used to link farmers with enterprises, cooperatives, and production groups to create value chains.”

Farmers grow cucumbers on converted fields. A switch to growing high-value crops on low-yield rice fields has paid dividends for farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta. (VNA/VNS Photo Van Khanh)

In 2014, Vietnam’s agricultural exports earned more than 30 billion USD growing 3% compared to 2.7% the previous year. This achievement proves the restructuring plan was on the right track.

Along with the successes, the sector has encountered many difficulties in implementing the restructuring plan. A lack of innovation in production models and a shortage of support policies need to be immediately resolved. Doctor Dang Kim Son, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy in Agriculture and Rural Development, said:

“The key to the future success of our restructuring plan is to concentrate on improving human resources rather than exploiting natural resources. Vietnam should attach more importance to science and technology application in agriculture, infrastructure upgrading, and improved personnel training. It’s also necessary to renovate both organizational and structural institutions to make a new motive force for the restructuring.”

The agriculture restructuring is part of the national economic restructuring which combines socio-economic development and environmental protection.