Ca Mau is agricultural production-oriented. "Green environment - Clean quality"

DNHN - Ca Mau should prioritise the development of its agricultural ecosystem, which includes the shrimp industry ecosystem, the establishment of a green economy and circular economy within the agricultural sector, environmental protection efforts

During the inauguration of the Ca Mau Shrimp Festival, which centred on the theme "Proud of Vietnamese Brand: Ca Mau Shrimp," and the OCOP Mekong Delta forum that concluded in Ca Mau last night, December 10, 2023, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai underscored this as one of the strategies to promote the province of Ca Mau and the Mekong Delta region's distinct competitive advantages, capabilities, and potential.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that to effectively develop agriculture and increase value, Ca Mau and the agricultural sector as a whole must concentrate on enhancing the agricultural ecosystem, which includes the construction and shrimp industries. Diversifying export markets, fostering innovation and a green economy, implementing a circular economy in agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging startups and innovation, and promoting digital transformation in agriculture...

Given the dynamic, intricate, and unforeseeable global landscape, there is a growing intensity of strategic competition among prominent nations. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has materialised and persists, while the Israel-Hamas conflict is progressively acquiring more complex dimensions. rising global inflation, the trend towards increasing interest rates, the tightening of monetary and fiscal policies, and the decline in global economic growth as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the domestic situation characterised by inflationary pressure The price of petrol and raw materials fluctuated significantly, and inflation rose. Furthermore, the complexity of epidemics, climate change, natural disasters, storms, and floods results in significant harm to businesses, production, and human lives.

As stated by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, the government has recently implemented numerous initiatives to restore and advance the economy and society, in addition to combating the epidemic. As a consequence, the macroeconomy sustains its stability and ensures the preservation of significant balances. Despite falling short of the target of approximately 6.5%, inflation is under control and it is anticipated that our country's GDP will increase by more than 5% in 2023. This is still quite high in comparison to many other nations in the world and the region. Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries increased by more than 3.4%, remaining vital pillars of the economy during challenging times.

As determined by "Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW of the 13th Central Executive Committee on "agriculture, farmers, and rural areas until 2030, vision to 2045," rural areas, farmers, and agriculture all play a role through 2030. Vietnam maintains a strategic position and role in the advancement of innovation, construction, and defence of the Fatherland. It serves as a vital foundation and driving force for sustainable and swift socio-economic progress, environmental conservation, and climate change adaptation. Furthermore, it safeguards national security and political stability and preserves and promotes cultural values and the resilience of the Vietnamese people. "The central task of the entire political system is to develop ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and civilised farmers; this is the responsibility of the entire Party and the entire people," stated Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.

The GRDP of Ca Mau province is projected to increase by 7.83% in 2023, which is greater than the national average for the same period. It is anticipated that the agricultural, forestry, and fishery export turnover of our nation will surpass 53 billion USD in 2023, with prawn exports accounting for approximately 3.6 billion USD of that figure. Vietnam will become the world's second-largest supplier of prawns, with exports to approximately one hundred countries. Annual seafood output in Ca Mau province exceeds 600,000 tonnes, with shrimp exports alone reaching over 250,000 tonnes, representing approximately 22% of the country's total seafood output. Shrimp export turnover surpasses $1.2 billion, contributing significantly to Vietnam's second-largest shrimp supplier status and surpassing the 10-billion USD seafood export mark for the first time. The Ca Mau shrimp industry has solidified its position on the global market; in addition to ultra-intensive farming, there are also models of sustainable agriculture that are uncommon elsewhere, such as shrimp-forest and shrimp-rice farming, which adhere to organic and ecological standards.

"With potential and strengths, Ca Mau province always identifies fisheries as a key economic sector to focus investment on." Huynh Quoc Viet, chairman of the Provincial People's Committee of Ca Mau, confirmed: "For many years, Ca Mau has advocated for the growth of ecological shrimp farming and organic shrimp products, including shrimp-rice and shrimp-forest dishes, by utilising its forest and marine resources to its advantage and obtaining numerous international certifications. "Today, prawns have evolved into an integral part of the material and spiritual existence of Ca Mau farmers."

Furthermore, since 2018, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) initiative has been formally executed on a national scale, emphasising the creation of localised benefits for agricultural and non-agricultural goods and services. throughout the value chain, with intense domestic and international competition. As of now, there are more than 1,300 OCOP products in the Mekong Delta alone, out of a total of nearly 9,500 products in the country that have earned three stars or higher. The rapid ascent to prominence and overwhelmingly positive reception of OCOP products on the market have facilitated the expansion of production scale and the augmentation of product value, ultimately benefiting farmers in terms of material and social well-being. The spirit.

Nevertheless, as stated by the Deputy Prime Minister, the agriculture sector as a whole and the fisheries industry, specifically the prawn sector, continue to face obstacles and difficulties. This is due to the escalating cost of input materials and seeds. Regions of raw materials are not yet concentrated; Scale of production remains limited and fragmented; The majority of exported goods are unprocessed substances; few undergo serious processing. Consumption is a volatile and undiversified market that is reliant on a small number of large markets. Stricter international standards are imposing ever-increasing demands on product quality. Environmental pollution is caused by methane emissions; OCOP products are unstable...

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai also hopes that this Ca Mau Shrimp Festival event will effectively promote the brand and image of Ca Mau Shrimp and local OCOP products to both domestic and international tourists, thereby contributing to the development of industries and fostering future opportunities for business collaboration and product exchange.

Ca Mau, the southernmost province of the country, has a coastline of 254 kilometres and is bordered on three sides by the sea; the sea area is over 80,000 km2 wide, and three island clusters, Hon Khoai, Hon Chuoi, and Hon Da Bac, are located near the coast. Ca Mau accommodates the most expansive forest region in the Mekong Delta. Its varied ecosystems, including coastal brackish forests, deep-inland Melaleuca forests, and mangrove forests, contribute to a thriving flora and fauna system that has been designated a Ramsar Site by UNESCO and a biosphere reserve. This represents both the prerequisite and potential for sustainable development.

Uyen Nhi