Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed and issued Directive No. 10/CT-TTg dated March 2, 2024 on promoting sustainable, transparent and effective production, business and export of rice in the new situation…

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed and issued Directive No. 10/CT-TTg dated March 2, 2024 on promoting sustainable, transparent and effective production, business and export of rice in the new situation…

The Directive clearly states that in 2023, the global food market will have many unusual fluctuations, but with the close, flexible and timely direction of the Government, ministries, central and local branches, and the efforts of farmers and businesses, the rice industry has achieved remarkable results: exporting over 8.1 million tons of rice, worth nearly 4.7 billion USD, up 14.4% in volume and 35.3% in value compared to 2022 and the highest level in the past 16 years.

BRINGING TRADERS INTO THE RICE INDUSTRY VALUE CHAIN ​​

However, in addition to the achieved results, our country’s rice industry still has some shortcomings and limitations that need to be promptly resolved: Input materials are not proactive, prices are not strictly controlled, always at a high level; The rate of mechanization in many production stages is low, the rate of post-harvest loss is high. Meanwhile, the production chain between farmers and enterprises is not tight, lacking sustainability; the export market has not been diversified, still dependent on some traditional markets.

In the first months of 2024, the complicated developments in the regional and world rice markets have affected the psychology of some businesses and farmers. According to the assessment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and a number of relevant agencies, the rice export situation is still favorable, the demand for rice of countries in the region and the world remains high due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon and armed conflicts.

“Currently, in the provinces of the Mekong Delta, the winter-spring rice crop is being harvested, but there is a phenomenon that businesses are waiting for rice prices to drop, while people want to sell rice at high prices like in the last months of 2023. If this situation continues, it will cause businesses to lose opportunities to export rice and affect production and income of rice growers,” the Directive clearly stated.

To ensure healthy, transparent rice production, trading and export activities, flexible and timely response, the Prime Minister requests relevant ministries, agencies, Chairmen of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, Chairman and General Director of the Northern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD I), Southern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD II) and rice export traders to continue to strictly implement Directive No. 24/CT-TTg dated August 5, 2023 of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct localities in the Mekong Delta to organize the harvest of winter-spring rice in accordance with the season, minimizing post-harvest losses; promptly direct the organization of summer-autumn crop production.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over and coordinate with localities and industry associations to closely monitor the situation, promptly provide complete and accurate information on developments in the rice market so that people and businesses can have appropriate production and business plans.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over and coordinate with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to direct, inspect and supervise rice export business activities, ensuring compliance with legal regulations. At the same time, it is necessary to urgently complete and submit to the Government a Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 107/2018/ND-CP dated August 15, 2018 on rice export business, creating a public, transparent, fair, favorable business environment and ensuring the legitimate interests of rice farmers, maintaining the reputation of Vietnamese rice products.

“It is necessary to study the streamlining of rice export hubs, ensuring healthy competition but not too dispersed, business efficiency, and reputation of Vietnamese rice”, the Directive emphasized.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade must coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant agencies to promote market development and trade promotion activities, promote the circulation and consumption of rice products; support businesses to effectively build rice supply chains associated with logistics services to international markets. It is necessary to study and promote the implementation of agricultural commodity trading floors, including rice trading floors, to ensure publicity and transparency in rice trading.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities to study and develop pilot models to bring “traders” into the rice value chain to both promote their role as a bridge between people and businesses and limit possible risks for parties participating in the value chain.

EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT ON 1 MILLION HALES OF HIGH-QUALITY, LOW-EMISSION FLOWERS

The Prime Minister directed the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to study and handle VAT refund issues according to their authority and legal regulations. On the other hand, preside over and coordinate with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Industry and Trade to calculate and have a plan to purchase rice reserves that is appropriate, effective, and in accordance with regulations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to focus on directing the effective implementation of the Project on “Sustainable development of one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030”. Directing the acceleration of the development and replication of product consumption chain models to ensure the harmony of interests between people and businesses.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over and coordinate with the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance to implement solutions to enhance the capacity of agricultural cooperatives in organizing production, providing input services, and consuming rice. Along with that, promoting training to equip farmers with knowledge about the market, agricultural business, changing thinking, and applying scientific advances in agricultural production, processing, and business.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to complete the system of legal documents on the management of the quality of input materials for rice production, especially seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and equipment. On the other hand, coordinate with ministries, branches, localities, and associations to seriously and effectively implement Official Dispatch No. 13/CD-TTg dated February 6, 2024 of the Prime Minister on strengthening logistics connectivity to promote consumption and export of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.

Source: vneconomy