Vietnam’s agricultural sector received $8.85 billion of official development assistance (ODA) during the past 20 years, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Of the amount, 45% went to irrigation upgrade, 21% to crop and animal husbandry, 15% to forestry, another 15% to rural development, and 4% to fisheries. In recent years, rural development is the field attracting 40% of ODA, the ministry said. In the years to come, the Vietnamese government will use ODA to further promote poverty eradication, green and sustainable development, and hi-tech agriculture. Funding will also be allocated to help the country deal with climate change and manage natural disaster risks. Vietnam will take measures to encourage private sector and foreign companies to invest in the country’s agriculture to boost the competitiveness of Vietnamese farm produce. Currently Vietnam’s agriculture contributes 20% to the nation’s gross domestic products (GDP), which hit around $136 billion last year. (Phap Luat Viet Nam – Vietnam Law Oct 21 p10)
