Central and city leaders visit a booth introducing Hà Nội's typical agricultural products.

HÀ NỘ — All communes in the capital city meet standards for new-style rural areas, in which 111 communes earn the title “advanced new-style rural areas”, and 20 others are recognised “model new-style rural areas”.

The information was released at a mid-term conference held on April 21 by the Hà Nội Party Committee’s Steering Committee on Programme No 04-CTr/TU on accelerating the effective implementation of the National Target Programme on Building New-Style Rural Areas in connection with restructuring agriculture and rural economic development, improving farmers' material and spiritual life for the 2021-2025 period.

According to a report by the Steering Committee, 23 out of 33 targets under the city’s Target Programme on Building New-Style Rural Areas have exceeded, completed or been on track to reach the plan.

Director of Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Đại makes a report on the outcomes of Programme 04-CTr/TU.

The average growth rate of the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is 3.03 per cent annually, reaching and exceeding the targets set by the city authorities (2.5 – 3 per cent per year). In the livestock industry in the 2020-25 period, there has been a shift in the direction of reduced pig raising to increased poultry and cattle raising. Hà Nội has mobilised more than VNĐ46.7 trillion (nearly US$2 billion) worth of investment for agriculture, farmers and rural development. This is a crucial resource for the rural areas to perfect infrastructure system, stimulating socio-economic development.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Minh Hoan takes the floor.

Addressing the conference, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Minh Hoan said the capital city’s agriculture has different features as compared to other localities.

“They are cultural value, historical identity, and the imprints of Hà Nội’s landmarks in products, which seem invisible but have great value that help create distinctive brands and add values to products,” said Minister Hoan.

“Achievements of the Hà Nội’s Party Committee’s Programme 04-CTr/TU inspire me as well as the agriculture ministry in the implementation of the National Target Programme on Building New-Style Rural Areas in the coming time,” he added.

A general view of the conference.

Speaking about future tasks, the Minister suggested Hà Nội establish agriculture centres, and human resource training centres to serve agricultural production and commodity chain; develop models of agricultural property to act not only as production place but also as recreation place for city dwellers at weekends; and improve agricultural and rural tourism services to optimise values.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Hà Nội’s Party Committee Nguyễn Thị Tuyến said during the first half term, the Party Committee has actively carried out 10 major programmes, including the Programme 04-CTr/TU, which is of significance and implemented in the long term.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Hà Nội’s Party Committee Nguyễn Thị Tuyến.

She called for districts and units to uphold achieved results and resolve existing shortcomings to enable the city to complete set targets for building new-style rural areas in 2025: 100 per cent of districts and communes satisfy new-style rural area standards; 20 per cent of districts and 40 per cent of communes meet standards for advanced new-style rural areas; and 20 per cent of communes are recognised as “model new-style rural areas”.

Speaking about six key tasks that need to be carried out in the time to come, Tuyến called for Party Committee and administration at all levels to focus on disseminating the implementation of the “tam nông” policy, which means ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and civilized farmers.

In parallel with the development of modern, prosperous, happy, democratic and civilised rural areas with synchronous socio-economic infrastructure, the development of agriculture and rural areas must incorporate tangible and intangible cultural spaces; and protect national values and identities, she said.

“Rural socio-economic development planning should focus on harmonious and synchronous development of agriculture, industry, services; and on restructuring labour force, generating income and jobs for farmers and people in rural areas,” said Tuyến. “Concurrently, it is essential to build culture villages, preserve and promote national cultural identities, honour traditional cultural values, and protect rural environment.”

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme head of Hà Nội (in white) shares experience in building new-style rural areas with conference participants. VNS Photos courtesy of Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Hà Nội’s Party Committee called for relevant agencies to speed up the restructuring of agricultural sectors, renew growth models in connection with the development of safe, organic and ecological farming; and prioritise capital for disadvantaged areas to help narrow gaps in building new-style rural areas among districts and communes, ensuring sustainability in this process. VNS