The agricultural sector in Vietnam has encountered obstacles in achieving global market success due to the lack of stringent sanctions and inadequate planning. Despite the sector's efforts to plan growing areas and planting outputs, the implementation of these plans has seen lax control, leading to unplanned planting and supply exceeding demand. This has contributed to the inconsistent quality and overproduction of Vietnamese agricultural products.
The Central Highlands Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute has noted a significant deviation from recommended crop cultivation plans across many provinces in the region. The pursuit of high-value crops by farmers, often ignoring the advice of scientific experts and government authorities, has resulted in overproduction and market imbalances. This is exemplified by the massive development of pepper in Dak Nong and Dak Lak provinces, where the planted area significantly exceeds the planned area.
Additionally, there has been a surge in durian cultivation across various regions, including the Mekong Delta, the Southeast region, and the Central Highlands region. Farmers have been cultivating durian in areas unsuitable for such crops, leading to an oversupply. The Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported that the durian area nationwide has exceeded the planned area by about 35,000 hectares as of the end of 2022.
In response to increasing competition from Vietnam and the Philippines, Thailand is focusing on enhancing its competitive edge in the global durian market by improving durian quality and exploring innovative export routes.
The dramatic increase in durian cultivation areas in Vietnam has been attributed to the higher economic profits it brings compared to other agricultural products. However, the uncontrolled expansion of crops like pepper, rubber, and coffee beyond designated planning zones poses risks, including challenges related to land use, water resources, and management capabilities.
The agricultural sector is addressing the issue of spontaneous production driven by immediate profits, which often leads to overproduction and a decline in product quality. Efforts are being made to encourage farmers to adhere to planning guidelines to ensure sustainable development, price stability, and market balance.
Authorities are working to raise awareness among farmers about the importance of market demand and supply dynamics. They are also coordinating with relevant units to review current production and propose development plans that align with local situations and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's fruit tree planning.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan has emphasized the need to manage supply and demand effectively, suggesting that increasing processing and standardizing agricultural products can help smooth market operations.
Source: Saigon News