September 17, 2016, in Hanoi, VNFU Chairman Lai Xuan Mon had a meeting with leaders from VCA, at the meeting the two sides discussed and agreed focusing on training management for staffs who can forge connectivity among farmers and help them develop agriculture in an effective and sustainable manner.
The Politburo has promulgated a Resolution on building new-style cooperatives in agriculture, fishery and craft village, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development along with the VNFU, VFF Central Committee, and Vietnam Cooperative Alliance has worked with local authorities and outstanding farmers, especially in the Mekong Delta – the country’s biggest agricultural hub, on this issue.
From Vietnam Farmers’ Union, Chairman Lai Xuan Mon agreed that the Union will have plan to encourage farmers to produce clean and safe food. VNFU also coordinated with the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) and Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) to provide farmers with loans of nearly VND 80 trillion (US$3.6 billion) while connecting with businesses to help farmers buy fertiliser, agricultural machines and equipment. The union also encouraged farmers to actively engage in new-style rural area building, protect the environment and maintain security in their living places, he added.
The two sides also pointed out some difficulties such as the widening gap between the rich and poor, unsustainable poverty reduction outcomes, small-scale agricultural production, inadequate connectivity in value production chains, poor quality of human resources, and challenges in farm produce sales.
Additionally, counterfeit products, food safety, climate change, environmental pollution and diseases are major obstacles to the agricultural development.
Thanh Hue – By Hoa Mai