Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visits a booth displaying agricultural products of northern port city of Hải Phòng.  — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HẢI PHÒNG — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc expects the northern port city of Hải Phòng to take the lead in developing a modern agricultural industry.
Phúc was speaking at a conference on Tuesday to review the implementation of the national programme on new-style rural building areas.

He congratulated Hải Phòng on its achievements in the field, saying it had contributed significantly to the achievements in rural development across the country. 

The PM said building new-style rural areas was a strategic and long-term revolution, demonstrating the focus of the Party and State on agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

The programme also created a firm foundation for the country’s modernisation and industrialisation, which needed the active involvement of the whole society, he said.

The PM asked Hải Phòng to exert more efforts because none of the city's districts had been recognised as new-style rural area, while 40 districts nationwide had gained this status.

He suggested Hải Phòng address small-scale agricultural production and waste treatment while diversifying high-quality products for export.

According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Tùng, all of the 139 rural communes in the city had met the criteria for new rural areas.

Over 92 per cent of rural households in the city had access to clean water. Only one per cent of households were living under the poverty line (the nationwide rate is 4.5 per cent). The annual per capita income in rural areas in 2019 is estimated at VNĐ55 million (US$2,366), up VNĐ18.05 million against 2015.

The city is striving to have all districts meet new-style rural criteria, and four districts, 20 communes, and 100 hamlets meeting the criteria for new-style rural areas by 2025.

On this occasion, the municipal People’s Committee presented emulation flags to two collectives, and certificates of merit to 84 collectives and 298 individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the implementation of the national target programme on building new-style rural areas. — VNS