Hanoi (VNA)꧅ – A plenary meeting of the International Support Group(ISG), themed “Vietnam agriculture and rural development in the context of COVID-19: Opportunities and Challenges”, took place in Hanoi on December 11.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le QuocDoanh said apart from the COVID-19 impacts, agriculture sector and ruralresidents are also hit by climate change, natural disasters and epidemics. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) workedclosely with ministries, agencies, localities and international community toadopt timely and effective measures. As a result, farm produce export was estimated at 37.42 billionUSD in 11 months of this year, up 2.4 percent annually. He called on the domestic agriculture sector to takecomprehensive and flexible measures to ensure food security, maintain growthand export, improve livelihoods and income of rural residents, and propelsustainable development, during which international support is needed. United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen said her organisation is assisting Vietnam in overcoming disaster andCOVID-19 consequences via technological transfer and product qualityimprovement. She added that UNDP could help Vietnam’s agriculture mitigaterisks via insurance and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, andcooperatives.

Participants discussed the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on theeconomy, farming households and businesses, the disruption of farm producesupply chain, environment risks, national and global food security.

They also offered policy recommendations and solutions to the pandemic in thefield of agriculture and rural development, debated the building of internationalcooperation programmes to restore farming production and trade, and link upwith the global supply chain amid the pandemic.

At the event, the MARD adopted a joint declaration reflecting commitment topromoting the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agriculture and rural areas,contributing to fulfilling the Government’s dual goals of fighting the pandemicand developing the economy.

𝕴 Following the event, the ministry will work with each partner to materialise thejoint declaration, Doanh said./.