Vietnam sets major tasks for agriculture sector in 2010

The Vietnamese agricultural sector has set a growth target of 3-3.2% this year, stepping up the country's livestock farming and aquaculture to cater to local and global demand.

At a meeting convened on January 15 to discuss implementation of major tasks in 2010, the sector also targets to export US$16 billion worth of agro-forestry and seafood products in 2010.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the sector is set to raise the country's total farming aquatic product output to 2.8 million tonnes and seafood export revenue by 10%.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung urged the ministry to improve food productivity, quality and safety as well as to make the best of internal strength to sharpen competitiveness.

MARD should also focus its efforts on improving the quality of livestock breeds and establishing farming zones where the latest technological and scientific progresses could be applied, Nguyen said.

The sector will also keep the corn acreage area at around 1.2 million hectares, and the cassava area at 500,000 hectares to satisfy material demand of animal feed processing industry.

Vietnam is among the top ten biggest seafood exporters in the world with export revenue being expected to rise 6.8% to US$4.7 billion this year.