PM issued directive on promoting production, circulation and export of agricultural products

Illustrative photo.

In order to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles, restore production, circulation, consumption and export of agricultural products, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to instruct localities to synchronously roll out solutions, thus ensuring smooth supply chains.

To review and fully prepare the conditions for the next crop's production, particularly agricultural product processing and exporting enterprises in provinces that implement social distancing in accordance with Directive 16, ensuring an adequate supply of agricultural products for domestic consumption, processing, and export in all circumstances, particularly in the final months of the crop's production.

Local governments are directed to encourage the development of agricultural production, consumption, and export to regions and areas that have successfully contained the COVID-19 epidemic in order to supplement and compensate for the shortfall in other localities, particularly southern provinces and cities. The two working groups' objectives must be maintained with their assistance in guiding production and linking agricultural product supply and consumption in the north and south.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is tasked with directing and strengthening oversight of agricultural restructuring along three product axes (national key products, regional specialties, and OCOP products) to ensure progress and efficiency; as well as developing and implementing a circular economy model and a digital agriculture economy.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for guiding localities that have controlled the pandemic to reopen traditional markets and wholesale markets to promptly supply goods to people; at the same time, coordinate with the Ministry of Health in promulgating regulations to ensure pandemic prevention and control. At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should actively discuss with Chinese agencies and localities about opening more border gates and clearing customs for agricultural exports, especially vegetables and fruits; encourage official exports through international border gates and main border gates; and support traders to promote the consumption of agricultural products through e-commerce channels.

The Ministry of Transport will direct relevant agencies to ensure smooth transportation across the country, creating the most favorable conditions for the transportation of agricultural products and inputs for agricultural production. The ministry will review and request the annulment of local documents that are contrary to the regulations of the Government and the Prime Minister on facilitating goods circulation.

People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities promptly and effectively implement the Government's resolution on supporting enterprises, cooperatives and business households in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with that, localities should actively develop plans for the production, consumption and export of agricultural products and ensure the stability of people's lives. Localities should also implement policies to support vehicle owners and drivers by reducing costs of transportation, consumption of agricultural products and circulation of agricultural material; prioritize vaccination for those working in harvesting, processing, circulating and exporting agricultural products.