The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have reached a consensus on the proposal to establish a National Rice Council. The Council will be an inter-ministerial coordinating organization, advising the Prime Minister on policies and strategies for the comprehensive development of the rice industry.
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| The Ministry of Industry and Trade has drafted a proposal to the Prime Minister regarding the establishment of a National Rice Council. |
On the afternoon of August 6th, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien co-chaired a meeting to propose the establishment of a National Rice Council.
Vietnam has achieved many successes in rice production and export. In 2023, it successfully exported 8.1 million tons of rice, an increase of 36.6% compared to the same period and the highest level in the past 16 years.
Rice production was favorable and stable in 2023 as well as the first seven months of 2024.
Total rice production in 2023 reached 43.5 million tons, an increase of 1.9% compared to 2022. Rice harvest as of July 15, 2024 is estimated at around 25 million tons, an increase of 2% compared to the same period.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that in 2024, rice production will reach approximately 43.4 million tons of paddy (a decrease of about 35,000 tons), of which the total volume for export is estimated at about 7.6 million tons.
In the first seven months of the year, rice exports continued to be a bright spot, with 5.18 million tons, worth $3.27 billion, an increase of 5.8% in volume and 25.1% in value. The average export price reached $632.2 per ton.
According to the draft, the National Rice Council is tasked with researching and proposing to the Government and the Prime Minister policies, strategies, mechanisms, and transparent and effective policies to ensure the comprehensive and sustainable development of the rice industry. 
Rice production and export are favorable, but according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, the current legal frameworks are revealing many issues that need to be considered, amended, and supplemented, as they have not yet created sufficiently strong incentives and a favorable environment for rice producers and traders involved in rice exports.
Incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, and unrealistic information and data hinder the management and operation of rice production and export during sensitive periods.
In addition, the rice industry still faces some limitations, such as unplanned production leading to localized surpluses that affect producers; low income for rice farmers, and difficult living conditions for some segments of the population.
Along with that come the challenges of climate change, rapidly evolving domestic and global markets, changing consumer trends, and the depletion of many resources, especially water resources.
Therefore, Minister Hoan stated: "To diversify products and markets, diversify income sources for rice farmers and rice-producing regions, enhance resilience to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to environmental protection, conservation, and efficient use of resources, an effective coordination mechanism between ministries, sectors, and localities is essential in coordinating common activities in the rice industry."
Emphasizing the role of the rice industry in recent years, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said: "From being a food-importing country, Vietnam has become self-sufficient in food supply, balanced in food production, and ensured national food security. At the same time, it has become one of the few countries considered a major rice exporting power."
However, according to Minister Dien, rice export activities still face some limitations such as: rice production is still fragmented and the technology is not yet advanced; the income of rice farmers is still low; and the living conditions of some segments of the population remain difficult.
Rice exports are still dependent on traditional markets and lack market diversification, which has a certain impact on export efficiency. Businesses have not yet proactively secured input materials and still face difficulties in the transaction process.
"The industry still lacks a stable and solid development policy. Currently, state investment, both domestic and international, in rice production, especially for export rice, is not commensurate (in terms of seeds, science and technology, production and processing processes). Many export businesses lack professionalism, engage in unfair competition, lack coordination between different levels and sectors, and inspection, supervision, and enforcement are inadequate...", Minister Dien stated.
Based on the problems facing the rice industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have proposed the establishment of a National Rice Council.
According to the draft proposal to establish a National Rice Council, the Deputy Prime Minister will serve as the Chairman; the Minister of Industry and Trade will be the Permanent Vice-Chairman, and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development will be the Vice-Chairman.
Council members include leading representatives from the Ministries of: Natural Resources and Environment, Planning and Investment, Finance, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs; and leading representatives from the People's Committees of several localities.
On August 1st, the Ministry of Industry and Trade drafted a submission to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge, and related documents regarding the establishment of the National Rice Council.
In terms of function, the Council is an inter-sectoral coordinating organization that advises the Prime Minister on researching, directing, and coordinating the resolution of important, inter-sectoral issues related to the development of the rice industry.
The Council is tasked with researching and proposing to the Government and the Prime Minister policies, strategies, mechanisms, and policies to create a transparent and effective legal environment, ensuring market stability and development, promoting comprehensive development of the rice industry, ensuring social welfare and national food security, and developing production and exports towards sustainable goals.
To research, advise, recommend, and propose to the Prime Minister directions and solutions to address important, inter-sectoral issues in the development and implementation of policies, strategies, mechanisms, and regulations to promote the development of the rice industry.
Simultaneously, provide input on strategies, programs, mechanisms, and policies related to the rice industry under the Government's decision-making authority. Coordinate closely with ministries and agencies to collect information and analyze and evaluate the production and export situation of the rice industry.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/hai-bo-de-xuat-thanh-lap-hoi-dong-lua-gao-quoc-gia-d221799.html
