Photo: iisd

An annual meeting of the International Support Group (ISG) held in Hanoi on November 18 focused its discussions on measures to harmonize the cooperation and assistance policies of donors and foreign investors in Vietnam’s agricultural and rural development.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said at the event that Vietnam would like to consult donors and foreign investors on its policies regarding the development of human resources in rural areas, farmland management, and food security for remote regions and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

The minister praised past recommendations as well as information exchange during the previous consultancy conferences. “Vietnam has obtained good results and useful information from many international organizations,” he said.

He reiterated Vietnam’s main priority to agricultural and rural development and pointed out the challenges faced by the sector this year, including unfavourable weather conditions, the outbreaks of cattle and poultry diseases and high production costs.

The minister assured the participants that despite these difficulties, the agricultural sector hopes to post a growth rate of 3.6 percent for 2008, compared with 3.4 percent last year.

Source: VOV