PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) at the year-end meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on December 24, 2020.( VGP/Quang Hieu)

Speaking at a conference of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday, the Prime Minister said with Vietnam’s economy growing nearly 3% in 2020, the highest in the Asia Pacific, according to the World Bank, the agriculture sector needs to set a target of an export value of 44 billion USD in 2021.

"Despite difficulties in 2020, Vietnam’s agriculture maintained its vital role in ensuring national food security and continued to be the main support of the national economy. In 2020, Vietnam’s agriculture adapted to  the epidemic and natural disasters to maintain the growth of agro-forestry and fishery exports and ensure supply for consumption for nearly 100 million people," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister asked the agriculture sector to achieve a growth rate of 3% in 2021, export turnover of 44 billion USD, and forest coverage of 42%. Mr. Phuc stressed the importance to focus more on the domestic market, improve product quality, and ensure food security.