Quang Ninh farmers push for agricultural reform in Party Congress's draft documents

Grassroots opinions have focused on proposing strategic breakthrough solutions for agriculture, farmers, and rural development, to build a modern, ecological, and sustainable agricultural sector. The comments also reaffirm public trust and aspirations in the Party’s leadership in the new era.

Party member Nguyen Thi Toan, a farmer from Mong Cai 2 ward of Quang Ninh province, offer opinions on the draft documents. (Photo: VNA)
Party member Nguyen Thi Toan, a farmer from Mong Cai 2 ward of Quang Ninh province, offer opinions on the draft documents. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - With a sense of responsibility and dedication, officials, Party members, and farmers in the northern province of Quang Ninh are actively reviewing and contributing feedback to the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress slated for early next year.

Grassroots opinions have focused on proposing strategic breakthrough solutions for agriculture, farmers, and rural development, to build a modern, ecological, and sustainable agricultural sector. The comments also reaffirm public trust and aspirations in the Party’s leadership in the new era.

Special mechanism proposed for agriculture

One of the most notable proposals, widely supported by farmers in Mong Cai 2 ward, is the establishment of an independent agency acting as a comprehensive “advisory station” for farmers and cooperatives. The agency would offer guidance on legal issues, modern technologies, crop and livestock selection. Crucially, it would also forecast domestic and global market demands to guide production by region in short, medium, and long terms.

Free services such as soil testing, soil composition analysis, and crop recommendations were suggested to better support producers. A user-friendly mobile app was also proposed to enable farmers to interact and access digital agricultural knowledge in real time.

Local farmers discuss the draft documents. (Photo: VNA)

Local farmers discuss the draft documents. (Photo: VNA)

Several contributors called for greater consensus on policies on land accumulation and conversion of agricultural land use, stressing the need to protect rice-growing areas to ensure national food security. They also recommended flexible conversion of interspersed cropland within residential areas into housing or community-use land to improve livelihoods.

Affirming strategic role of agriculture, farmers, and rural areas

Le Phuong Thao, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Farmers’ Union, said collecting public feedback from National Assembly deputies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organisations, and people aims to harness collective wisdom and public involvement in shaping the Party’s strategic directions. This process would improve the quality of draft documents and bolster public trust in the Party’s leadership, she said.

On development orientations, Thao highlighted broad consensus on the strategic importance of agriculture, farmers, and rural development in the nation’s sustainable growth.

Recommendations gave priority to ecological, high-tech, digital, and green agriculture. This transition should boost productivity and product quality while aligning with environmental goals, Thao said.

They also called for building advanced rural development models, restructuring crops and livestock, and introducing practical subsidy policies to address the recurring challenge of “bumper crops, falling prices”.

Thao further urged enhancing the Farmers’ Union’s role in representing and protecting members’ legitimate rights and interests, ensuring it remains a solid bridge linking the Party, the State, and farmers.

Tran Hong Khiet, Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies’ Mong Cai branch, urged local authorities and the Farmers’ Union to push for more favourable policies and funding, including broader eligibility and greater access to preferential credit to spur rural development.

Contributors also called for more workforce training, the rollout of “Digital Literacy for All” drive, and the cultivation of skilled workforce for cooperatives, helping farmers master new technologies and achieve sustainable prosperity./.

VNA