Receiving the delegation were Nguyen Van Gau, member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Vice Chairmen of the provincial People's Committee Mai Son and Le O Pich; and leaders of departments and agencies in the province.

At the working session, Le O Pich briefed on the socio-economic situation and agricultural and forestry production in the province. Bac Giang determines that agricultural development plays a particularly important role in its socio-economic development strategy, and serves as a pillar of the economy, he noted.

The province has set out many policies and mechanisms to develop agriculture towards modernity, sustainability, and higher quality, added value and productivity competitiveness, he stated, adding agriculture is shifting strongly towards commodity production with increasing scale, productivity and quality based on each locality's advantages.

The agricultural sector has maintained growth for four consecutive years, with production value per hectare of agricultural land reaching 138 million VND (5,430 USD) per year and the average income per capita in rural areas of 52 million VND per year.

The province has formed 56 key and typical product groups for large-scale commodity-oriented production associated with granting growing area codes. It has 290 OCOP products, of which lychee of Hong Xuan Agricultural Production and General Services Cooperative in Luc Ngan district meets 5-star standards. The province has built three geographical indications for lychee, Danh mountain ginseng and custard apple, six brands and hundreds of collective brands.

On this occasion, Bac Giang province proposed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development remove outstanding obstacles to the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the working session, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Gau emphasised that although Bac Giang is "transforming" to become a major industrial center of the northern region, the province always attaches importance to the agricultural sector.

In particular, it identifies agriculture as the pillar of the economy and develops agriculture synchronously with industry, trade and services, ensuring harmonious development among fields and among regions, he said.

Bac Giang always strives to help people in rural and mountainous areas quickly narrow the gap in living conditions with those in urban areas, he added.

The provincial Party chief affirmed that in the coming time, the provincial Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee will continue to pay attention to leading and directing the serious and effective implementation of the Government's directions on development of agriculture, farmers and rural areas, ensuring compliance with local characteristics and situation.

He hoped that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will always accompany, guide, and coordinate with the province to remove difficulties in mechanisms and policies, and provide financial support so that the province has more resources for developing agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

Regarding some proposals and recommendations of the province, Minister Hoan assigned the ministry’s relevant agencies and units to suggest solutions for the ministry’s approval in the near future.

Previously, Minister Le Minh Hoan, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Gau, and the working group visited the production model of the Duc Hanh Danh Mountain Ginseng Cooperative in Lien Chung commune and the Ngoc Chau Bamboo Shoot Cooperative in Ngoc Chau commune (Tan Yen district).

The Dai – Nguyen Huong