Hanoi (VNA) – The agricultural sector has overcome difficulties given the COVID-19 impacts to meet its 2021 targets, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh☂ Hoan told the Vietnam News Agency.

According to the minister, in the third quarter, complicated developments of the pandemic in southern localities and in big industrial and agricultural hubs of the nation caused serious production and distribution disruptions, while difficulties were seen in many export markets of Vietnam. He attributed the year-end sound outcomes to the flexibility of the involved management systems from central to local level, business communities, associations, and farmers in connecting goods and enterprises and pushing for a rapid recovery during last months of the year. “We can be proud that even with tens of millions of people being put under social distancing measures, food still reached their doors,” the official stated. The ensuring of food supply reiterates the important role of the sector when the nation faces difficulties, he added. In a year of changes on the climate, market and consumption trends, flexibility and adaptability are key to Vietnam’s success, Hoan affirmed. In the time to come, the sector plans to further switching to the mindset of agricultural economy from the previous agricultural production. The change is expected to bring about better value added and increase farmers’ income./.