The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) will jointly implement a Cooperation Program for the Development of Production, Processing, Consumption, and Export of Agro-Forestry-Fishery Products during the 2021–2025 period.
Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam inspected the vegetable packaging line at An Hòa Investment JSC’s production facility in Đa Tốn commune, Gia Lâm district, Hanoi.
Strengthening Coordination Between Two Key Ministries
The program aims to resolve overlapping issues between the two ministries and promote synergy in developing production, processing, distribution, and export activities — all aligned toward improving productivity, quality, and added value for Vietnam’s agricultural exports.
A key priority will be information sharing, creating a communication bridge for trade promotion, addressing non-tariff barriers, and expanding markets, particularly as Vietnam deepens its participation in global trade agreements.
Seven Key Tasks Identified
According to Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam, the cooperation program focuses on seven major tasks:
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Aligning production with market demand:
The two ministries will coordinate to exchange data on production volumes and agricultural output regularly, ensuring market-driven planning and smoother consumption of farm products. -
Removing non-tariff barriers and opening markets:
The ministries will work closely with Vietnam’s commercial counselors abroad to obtain up-to-date market intelligence and to dismantle technical and regulatory barriers still present in global markets. -
Trade promotion and brand development:
The MOIT will spearhead national branding programs, while the MARD will promote key agricultural brands such as rice, shrimp, pangasius, and coffee, along with the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program. Wholesale markets and export distribution hubs will play a vital role in this effort. -
Market supervision and combating counterfeits:
The MARD Inspectorate and MOIT’s Market Surveillance Department will intensify collaboration to tackle smuggling, counterfeit goods, and unfair trade practices affecting agricultural value chains. -
Promoting mechanization and energy efficiency:
The program encourages cooperation between agricultural and industrial promotion agencies to enhance farm mechanization, emphasizing energy-saving technologies and renewable resource utilization. -
Developing rural industries:
Expanding and modernizing rural craft industries will support job creation, value chain diversification, and rural economic resilience. -
Enhancing quality control and food safety:
Both ministries will tighten management over agro-forestry-fishery quality, sanitary standards, and food safety compliance to strengthen Vietnam’s reputation in international markets.
Establishing a Steering Committee for Market Development
Prior to this program, the MARD had prepared to reorganize its Steering Committee for Agricultural Market Development, responsible for identifying and managing market-oriented strategies for key agricultural exports.
The committee’s main functions include:
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Developing production and consumption strategies for major agricultural products.
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Designing market development policies, addressing trade barriers, and implementing safeguard measures.
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Conducting market analysis, forecasting, and information dissemination.
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Promoting trade and branding for Vietnamese agricultural products worldwide.
Through this strengthened inter-ministerial coordination, Vietnam aims to boost the competitiveness, brand value, and export performance of its agro-forestry-fishery products in both domestic and global markets.