HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Farmers’ Union must continue reforming its operations and fostering solidarity among farmers to meet the requirements of the modern day, according to Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the seventh Congress of Việt Nam Farmers’ Union (VNFU) in Hà Nội yesterday, Party Secretary, President Trọng urged the union to focus on dissemination campaigns, encouraging them to follow Party and State’s guidelines and policies and implement programmes on developing rural areas.

Only by doing so could Vietnamese farmers master agricultural production and business, especially as Việt Nam carries out commitments in accordance with World Trade Organisation and ASEAN Community rules as well as other free trade agreements, he said.

“Over the past 88 years, the VNFU has grown strongly and greatly contributed to the nation’s revolutionary cause,” the Party leader said.

Although the agriculture sector has faced many difficulties over the years, including climate change, environmental pollution and fierce competition from the global market, Vietnamese farmers have strived to overcome these difficulties, he noted. The sector posted sustainable development and the living conditions of farmers has improved. The per capita income of farmers rose from VNĐ75.8 million (US$3,000) in 2012 to VNĐ130 million ($5,500) in 2017.

He also pointed to a number of shortcomings in the union, including slow innovation in its operation and low progress in industrialisation and modernisation of agriculture and rural development.

The leader stressed that the Party and State see agriculture, farmers and rural areas as key factors in industrialisation, modernisation, construction and defence. They are also important for socio-economic development and environmental protection.

Therefore, farmers’ associations at all levels should work with relevant agencies to strengthen vocational training and raise professional skills for farmers so they could develop the economy and raise their incomes, he said.

He also asked Party organisations, local administrations, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and political-social organisations to help the union operate effectively.

Addressing the congress, Thào Xuân Sùng, chairman of VNFU, said over the past five years the union has asserted its role in developing the agricultural sector, building rural areas and protecting the rights of farmers.

During 2013-18, the union admitted nearly 2.2 million members, raising the total membership to 10.2 million. Some 130,000 training courses and conferences were organised and more than 14,000 production models with advanced technologies were transferred to the farming community.

To promote the role of the union and farmers, Sùng said the union has set forth 14 criteria on farmers’ emulation movements. Of which, the popularisation of the Party and State’s policies and regulations, as well as the union’s resolution for all farmers was the most important task. The union also aimed to have 60 per cent of members accessing the internet and all union’s staff receiving training on updated knowledge on agriculture cultivation and communication skills.

During the two-day congress, participants discussed the outcomes, shortcomings and lessons to be drawn from the implementation of the sixth congress’ resolution, said Lều Vũ Điều, Vice chairman of VNFU.  — VNS