At the meeting, Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, shared that Vietnam’s rice industry has witnessed robust growth in recent years. However, it now faces challenges due to climate change, rapidly evolving domestic and global markets, shifting consumer trends, and depleting natural resources, especially water.
In light of these circumstances, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed the establishment of a National Rice Council, aiming for multi-value, product diversity, market diversity, and increased income for rice farmers and producing regions.
Minister Le Minh Hoan believes that the National Rice Council will bring about a breakthrough for the rice industry.
“The National Rice Council will serve as an effective coordination mechanism between ministries, sectors, and local governments in managing rice-related activities, in addition to the current specialized management of individual ministries. We aim to bring about a transformative change for the rice industry,” shared Minister Le Minh Hoan.
Providing an update on the progress, Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, mentioned that his ministry has sent official letters to relevant ministries, sectors, local governments, and associations to gather opinions before reporting to the government about the structure and functions of the National Rice Council.
The council will be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, with the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development as vice-chairs. It will include representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and some local governments.
Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, shared his insights at the meeting.
According to Mr. Son, the council will function as an inter-sectoral coordinating organization, providing consultancy and assisting the Prime Minister in researching, directing, and coordinating the resolution of important and inter-sectoral issues related to the development of the rice industry.
The council will be responsible for researching and proposing to the government and the Prime Minister strategies, mechanisms, and policies to create a transparent and efficient legal environment, ensuring a stable and developing market, and promoting the comprehensive and effective growth of the rice industry. This will contribute to social welfare, national food security, and the development of production and exports towards sustainability.
It will also research, consult, recommend, and propose to the Prime Minister directions and solutions to address important and inter-sectoral issues in formulating and implementing strategies, mechanisms, and policies to boost the development of the rice industry.
Additionally, the council will assist the government and the Prime Minister in coordinating, supervising, and inspecting the implementation of strategies, programs, mechanisms, and policies related to the rice industry. It will also provide opinions on strategies, programs, mechanisms, and policies within the government and the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction, working closely with ministries and sectors to collect information and analyze the situation of rice production and exports.
Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien, assured that based on the feedback received from units and enterprises, the two ministries would finalize the draft and submit it to the government as soon as possible. They welcome further contributions from ministries, sectors, and local governments and instructed the functional agencies of the two ministries to continue their close and effective coordination to ensure the National Rice Council’s efficient operation.
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