Agriculture has proven its role as an important pillar of the economy, bringing a prosperous and happy life to people, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

With agriculture, forestry, and fisheries export value of more than $53 billion, the sector has also helped Vietnam build an independent and self-reliant economy with active, intensive, and effective integration into the world, he told a conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on January 13.

The government leader asked the sector to focus agriculture and rural development efforts on building product brands; boosting digital transformation, green transition, and the circular economy; connecting with cultural and tourism development; diversifying products, markets, and supply chains; improving product quality and the participation in global value chains; and multiplying effective models.

Prime Minister Chinh also underlined the importance of coordinating with other ministries, sectors, and localities to link producers with consumers, and optimize free trade agreements, continue removing barriers to enter new markets, and pay due attention to the domestic market.

The sector recorded total value growth of 3.36 per cent in 2022; the highest for many years.

It targets growth of 3 per cent in 2023 and for agriculture, forestry, and fishery exports to reach $54 billion.