Exploiting potential and strengths to develop sustainable agriculture

To understand the development orientation of the agricultural sector in the coming time, Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio and Television reporters interviewed Mr. Cao Thanh Thuong - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

* Reporter: Could you please tell us some outstanding results of the Agriculture and Environment sector in the first 6 months of 2025?

Mr. Cao Thanh Thuong **. Photo: Ngoc Nga**

- Mr. Cao Thanh Thuong: In the first 6 months of 2025, agricultural, forestry, fishery production, environmental protection and new rural development activities continued to maintain stability and positive growth.

Binh Dinh province (old) recorded a growth of 3.3% in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector; Gia Lai province (old) achieved 4.5%. Crops adapted well to the climate, the cultivated area increased by 0.6%, converting 11,505 hectares of ineffective crops to high-value crops.

Livestock activities remained stable, with cattle and pig herds increasing sharply thanks to high meat prices and effective disease control. The pig herd is estimated at over 1.7 million heads, and the cow herd at over 800,000 heads. Investment attraction increased sharply, with many large-scale projects and linkage chains developing in the fields of cultivation and livestock.

The total regional fishery output reached 153,445 tons, of which Binh Dinh (old) accounted for almost all with more than 150,177 tons (up 2.5%), Gia Lai (old) reached 2,879 tons thanks to the promotion of freshwater aquaculture. Forestry was strictly managed, violations were reduced, and the output of exploited wood reached 514 thousand cubic meters.

Land management, mineral resources, environmental and ecological protection, and climate change response continue to be focused on. Clean water usage and waste collection rates are close to the plan.

* Reporter: To complete the annual target assigned by the province, what solutions will the industry implement in the coming time?

- Mr. Cao Thanh Thuong: The industry is focusing on a number of key tasks including: Reviewing, proposing, and submitting to the Provincial People's Committee to issue procedures; synchronizing the province's programs and plans after the merger; assigning socio -economic development targets to 77 communes and wards in the Gia Lai area (old); organizing training for leaders, civil servants in charge of land and environment, civil servants in charge of agriculture on 96 tasks under the authority of the new commune-level People's Committee.

In production, continue to direct cultivation, animal husbandry, exploitation and aquaculture according to plan; focus on increasing livestock herds, planting large timber forests associated with sustainable forest management certification.

Focus on implementing solutions to combat IUU fishing, recommend amending regulations on tuna size, and complete the Project to convert some seafood exploitation occupations that affect resources and ecological environment in the province.

The industry continues to urge and support investors to speed up the implementation of large-scale production and processing projects; at the same time, coordinate to speed up the implementation and completion of production and business projects in the agricultural sector in 2025.

Effectively implement production support programs for poor and near-poor households. Strengthen land management, issue land use right certificates, invest in clean water for rural areas, treat solid waste and protect the environment.

Along with that, promoting digital transformation, building and perfecting increasingly modern agricultural and rural infrastructure, meeting the requirements of sustainable and modern agricultural production, with large-scale commodity production and adaptation to climate change.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment is enhancing the transfer of science and technology with the hope that people, cooperatives, and businesses will participate deeply in the value chain. **Photo: NN**

* Reporter: How will the combination of the two localities affect the sustainable development orientation of the Agriculture and Environment sector, sir?

- Mr. Cao Thanh Thuong: The combination of strengths between Binh Dinh (old) with advantages in industry, tourism, trade, services, seaport infrastructure and Gia Lai (old) with rich land resources, forests and renewable energy potential opens up opportunities to diversify crops and livestock, expand production scale, increase the value of agricultural products and develop agricultural value chains in a sustainable direction.

The East-West Economic Corridor from Le Thanh International Border Gate (formerly Gia Lai) to Quy Nhon Port (formerly Binh Dinh) will create favorable conditions for the export of agricultural products, connecting with domestic and international markets; significantly reducing logistics costs, shortening export journeys and improving competitiveness.

After the merger, the industry has more conditions to effectively manage land, forest and water resources and promote environmental monitoring using digital technology. However, it also faces many challenges such as: extreme weather, epidemics, unstable agricultural prices, large areas, large populations and uneven development.

Some key projects are still behind schedule, placing high demands on management, resource allocation and investment attraction.

In the coming time, the industry will focus on building a land management database; promoting the application of high technology, building a production and consumption chain; developing sustainable forests, rationally using resources, and protecting the environment.

At the same time, strengthen the transfer of science and technology, train cadres, train farmers and foster commune-level civil servants to master the professional expertise of the industry.

* Reporter: Thank you!

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/khai-thac-tiem-nang-the-manh-de-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-post560063.html