In his opening remarks, VFU Central Committee Chairman Luong Quoc Doan emphasized the central role of farmers in agricultural development, new-style rural construction, national defense and security safeguard, saying that this year’s forum provides a platform for open discussions to make proposals. to promote the farming profession.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said farmers play a key role in achieving socio-economic goals. Rural areas have developed in a modern way, with nearly 65 percent of the country’s communes receiving new-style rural status, she said, adding that many districts and communes have started advanced rural construction again. style.
The current average income of farmers is 2 to 2.5 times higher than in 2010, when the country started implementing the national target program on new-style rural construction, she said.
Xuan highlighted the many challenges facing the agricultural sector, including unsustainable development, poor performance of the collective economy, limited science and technology applications, pollution, an aging workforce and low productivity, among others.
The Vice-President asked the VFU to collect the recommendations and proposals put forward by farmers, agribusinesses and delegates at the forum that can lay the groundwork for the adoption of new policies and solutions to solve the problems in the short term. and long term.
Many delegates proposed “farmer knowledge,” which means strengthening farmers’ education and skills, as well as their professional skills, management, business and production expertise, and knowledge of agriculture and social issues. and economic.
The number of agricultural workers now stands at about 17.7 million, representing about 32.8% of the total workforce. The rate is expected to decline in the future, which will likely lead to labor shortages in the sector.
