Hanoi (VNA) - In 2023, the Agriculture and Rural Development sector aims for GDP growth of 3-3.5%. The total export turnover of agro-forestry-fishery products is to reach about 54 billion USD. Positive results in the first nine months of 2023 and positive signals from the export market positions the agricultural sector to reach its goals. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien granted an interview to VietnamPlus on implementing the industry's growth and export goals in 2023. - Mr. Deputy Minister, could you please brief us about the results the agricultural sector has achieved in the first nine months of 2023. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: In the first nine months of 2023, rice sales were outstanding, contributing to the growth of the agricultural industry with a harvest of 33.6 million tonnes, an increase of 1.4% year on year. The livestock industry is still growing at a high rate of over 5%. The fisheries sector also began to improve in the third quarter. Seafood production in the first nine months reached nearly 6.8 million tonnes, an increase of 2.1 percent year on year. These three areas are all bright spots, creating growth momentum for the agricultural industry. With a growth rate of 3.66% in the first nine months, agriculture is still the foundation of the economy. We believe that the 2023 growth target set at 3-3.5% is achievable. - Could you please share information on the prospects for implementing the agricultural, forestry and aquatic export target of 54-55 billion USD in 2023? Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: Agro-forestry-fisheries export turnover in the first nine months reached 38.48 billion USD, down 5.1% compared to 2022. However, a very positive sign is that in September 2023, we exported 4.8 billion USD of agricultural products, an increase of 22% compared to September 2022. Outstanding products such as vegetables and fruit have reached about 4.2 billion USD, an increase of 71.8% and still have growth potential from now until the end of the year. The disbursement of 5.5 trillion VND in the 15 trillion VND credit loan package for the forestry and fisheries sectors has helped seafood and wood exports, creating opportunities to increase export value in the last months of the year. Regarding export markets, China accounts for 22.1%, followed by the US, Japan and the Philippines. In the first 9 months of 2023, the Chinese market has made it to the top. I believe that this billion-person market with huge consumer demand will be a market with high potential for Vietnamese agricultural products. We will promote market development according to the standards and regulations of each market. We are confident that the goal of 54-55 billion USD in agricultural, forestry and fishery export set by the Government and the Prime Minister for 2023 is achievable. - In addition to the potential to increase export value to China, how will the US market also have opportunities to develop, Mr. Deputy Minister? Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: The establishment of the comprehensive strategic partners between the US and Vietnam will bring more opportunities to increase the export value of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products in this market. To date, the US is a very large export market of Vietnam, accounting for over 20% of annual export turnover. We have many agricultural products that are allowed to be exported to the US. In particular, the fact that the US has recognized Vietnam's pangasius production as equivalent to the US shows that Vietnam's production and processing level is increasingly perfect, ensuring high quality, opening up opportunities to increase export value of this industry. - In the fourth quarter, what tasks and solutions will the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development deploy to achieve the 2023 goals? Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: The Ministry will closely monitor meteorological and hydrological weather conditions to direct appropriate crop seasons. We will also implement production plans for the summer-autumn, summer, and fall-winter crops in 2023. This will ensure water sources for rice production in the North Central provinces and strengthening plant protection. Regarding livestock production, the ministry will boost inspections to promote livestock development, and ensure food supply. We also plan to strengthen the replication of livestock models of biosafety, disease safety, VietGAP, organic farming, and the circular economy on livestock. One of the key tasks in the fourth quarter is to focus on controlling serious acts of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. We worked well with the European Commission's Inspection Team in October 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will also promote international cooperation, market development, and promotion of agricultural product consumption, both in domestic and export markets. It will continue to create favorable conditions for the export of agricultural and aquatic products. This will happen with markets in China, the US, the EU, and the Eurasian economic union. Vietnam will also take advantage of free trade agreements to promote the export of key agro-forestry-fishery products and support businesses in signing new export orders. - Thank you very much!