Female farmers plant rice on a rice paddy. National Assembly deputies are calling for better care of the country’s rural population from the government

The government should increase investment in agricultural and rural development and subsidize producers to offset the price of essential commodities, deputies of the National Assembly of Vietnam said Wednesday.

“We won’t be able to ensure social stability in the current difficult economic situation if we do not pay due attention to agriculture, rural areas and farmers.”

Representative Pham Minh Toan from Quang Ngai Province suggested the government should increase state budget investment in agricultural, farming and rural programs in the country’s 61 poorest districts.

The government should also continue to upgrade irrigation works using cooperation between the state and people and help farmers apply advanced technology in production, he said.

Preparing better forecasts about the markets for farm products would also help primary producers.

“The state management in agriculture has shown a number of shortcomings, especially in mapping out policies and market forecasts, which has negatively impacted the agricultural sector and farmers,” Toan said.

Unstable policies, including temporary limits on rice exports and increasing competition from imported salt, sugar, cooking and animal feed, have adversely affected the livelihoods of some farmers, delegate Nguyen Tan Tuan from Khanh Hoa Province said.

Some delegates said the government should assist farmers by subsidizing the purchase of fertilizers and breeding animals and plants and by helping promote agricultural products.

Legislator Vu Quang Hai from Hung Yen Province said Vietnam should adopt programs to develop animal and plant breeds, including rice, because local farmers still had to import rice breeds from China.

During the discussion, some delegates expressed concern about the weaknesses in the government’s economic forecasting capacity, which has proved costly to many businesses.

“The government’s role in forecasting the world economic and market situation is still limited,” said delegate Tran Tien Canh from Ha Nam. “We decided to temporarily cease rice exports in April, when world rice prices surged up to US$1,200 per ton… After a time, the prices dropped to nearly $600 per ton, meaning farmers missed out on making decent profits.”

Delegate Y Ngoc from Kon Tum suggested the government should reassess the capacity of technical agencies and clarify the responsibilities of its advisory agencies.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc admitted Vietnam’s economic forecasting had not been good.

“The Ministry of Planning and Investment give consultations to the government in building annual long-and medium-term strategies,” Phuc told reporters on the sideline of the session Wednesday.

“We are focusing on intensifying human resources for our forecasting agency and expanding cooperation with international organizations to improve capacity.”

Phuc also said the government was closely monitoring global oil prices, which have more than halved over the past three months.

He said deflation was a possibility next year but “it depends on regional and world situations.”

Reported by Bao Van