Viet Nam will no longer have to ‘rescue’ agricultural products as their prices drop in the coming years, Nguyen Quoc Toan, acting head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Department of Farm Produce Processing and Development said in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

Toan spoke at a press conference introducing the Vietnam Agricultural Product Consumption Promotion Forum 2019, which will be held by MARD in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and representatives of cities, provinces, associations and co-operatives in the capital city of Ha Noi on February 22.

The consumption of agricultural products will be highlighted at the forum.

Toan said Viet Nam must do well in the market, produce clean agricultural products with clear origins and connect production and processing chains. Toan said localities were very important in planning agricultural products.

The forum aims to evaluate the production and consumption of agricultural products in 2019. It is an opportunity for production units to connect with localities, associations, businesses and investors in the field of processing and consuming agricultural products.

The forum will also exchange solutions to promote and expand the market and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in the context of international integration, attracting international organisations to invest in large-scale agriculture.

“The forum will review the ‘picture’ of agricultural production and consumption as well as sharing MARD’s view of this issue,” said Toan.

“The forum is expected to solve problems related to the consumption of agricultural products,” he added.

The Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy will also provide information on agricultural product branding when Viet Nam’s agricultural products participate in major markets.

At the event, foreign experts will present on the construction of infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products. Representatives from provinces and associations will discuss ways to remove obstacles to consumption. Representatives from leading corporations such as Vingroup, Massan, Aeon and Big C will also attend the forum.

According to Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Competition, investing in agriculture is less attractive than other industries, but if the investment is satisfactory, agriculture can be much more attractive. "But more important is creating trust for businesses."

The forum will be held annually to create trust for producers, consumers and processors. — VNS