Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked ministries and localities to take measures to promote rice production and exports and contribute to enhancing economic growth in the second half of 2023.

In a circular sent to ministries and localities on July 3, Prime Minister Chinh asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to coordinate with ministries, agencies, and localities to continue completing institutions and policies to create the conditions necessary for farmers and enterprises to improve research and develop high-quality, high-yield rice varieties in line with market demand, and to build standards on production, processing, and quality in line with international integration.

MARD was also instructed to enhance post-harvest technology, invest in high-value rice varieties, speed up digital transformation, and apply science and technology in production as well as reducing the use of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals to improve rice quality and productivity and help increase export prices.

The ministry was also directed to boost bilateral and multilateral negotiations to sign agreements on mutual recognition of quarantine, product quality, and food safety and hygiene standards with key partner countries in order to grow markets.

Prime Minister Chinh asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to sustainably and effectively diversify rice export markets and flexibly organize trade promotion programs to strengthen traditional markets such as the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Africa while developing new markets and markets of potential.

It was also asked to study markets, assess and forecast import demand, carry out trade promotion programs, and study negotiations over and the signing of preferential agreements with export markets of potential.

The ministry was also entrusted with building a trademark for Vietnamese rice and improving administrative reform to create the best possible conditions for rice exports.

The government leader ordered the People’s Committees of centrally-run localities to build planning for rice production and export, coordinate with ministries and agencies to proactively tackle difficulties and obstacles hindering rice export activities, and enhance information dissemination to raise awareness among farmers and businesses about ensuring production quality and traceability to increase product competitiveness.

Prime Minister Chinh also instructed the Vietnam Food Association to provide more information on the global rice market and demand among partners, and proactively propose trade promotion programs to help boost the image and brands of Vietnamese rice products.  

Rice exports posted year-on-year growth of 22.2 per cent in quantity and 34.7 per cent in value in the first half of this year.