Agricultural sector maintains steady growth

In 2025, the agriculture and environment sector will face numerous difficulties and challenges as it implements its tasks. However, the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors nationwide are expected to continue achieving high growth rates. In particular, the total export value of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products is estimated to reach over 70 billion USD, an increase of 12% and the highest level ever recorded.

Egg sorting and packaging line at Trinh Dang Khoi Co., Ltd. (in Tan An commune). Photo: Binh Nguyen

Despite being an industrial province, Dong Nai is also the "capital" of livestock farming and the "capital" of industrial crops, with many key crops ranking among the top nationwide in terms of cultivation area. By 2025, Dong Nai's agricultural sector is expected to achieve many impressive outcomes, particularly in the application of high technology and the development of large-scale farming and livestock production, meeting the increasingly high standards of both domestic and export markets.

Achieving a high growth rate

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the added value of the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sector nationwide is estimated to grow by 3.7 to 3.9%, basically meeting the set target. The total export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products is estimated at over 70 billion USD, representing a 12% increase and marking the highest increase ever recorded, far exceeding the 65 billion USD target. Notably, the sector's trade surplus reached over 20 billion USD, the highest level in many years.

In Dong Nai province, although the agricultural sector accounts for a small proportion of the province's economic structure, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector is still expected to achieve a growth rate of 3.22% in 2025. This sector continues to play a crucial role in stabilizing the food supply, contributing to social welfare, and helping to balance the province's economic structure.

As of now, Dong Nai province has 194 registered growing areas covering more than 14,000 hectares and 52 registered packaging facilities serving exports to markets such as China, the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dong Nai province is the "capital" of industrial crops in the country, with a total cultivation area of over 503,000 hectares. The total area of fruit trees is nearly 99,500 hectares, with a focus on crops that have export advantages. The province has established 127 concentrated production zones covering almost 40,700 hectares. Dong Nai is also the "capital" of livestock farming in the country, with a total pig population of over 3.9 million and a poultry population of nearly 33.3 million.

A notable development is the apparent shift in the mindset of production and export. Instead of chasing volume, many industries are now prioritizing quality, branding, and market segmentation. In particular, many businesses are investing in deep processing to meet the standards of demanding markets and are gradually accounting for a larger share of the export structure. This endeavor reflects a substantial transformation in thinking from agricultural production to agricultural economics, accompanied by increased trade promotion and market expansion.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, a member of the Board of Directors of GC Food Joint Stock Company (based in Ho Nai ward), said the company is currently exporting to around 20 markets worldwide, including many demanding ones such as Japan, South Korea, and Europe. To achieve this success, from its earliest days, the company identified its target market as agricultural exports and therefore pursued multiple certifications in accordance with international standards.

“The agriculture and environment sector needs to continue improving its institutions, policy mechanisms, and planning. Focus on transferring science and technology; building intelligent farmers with ‘knowledge, creativity, courage, pioneering spirit, aspiration, and dedication.’ Promote the restructuring of the agricultural sector; strengthen the linkage of the five stakeholders: ‘the State, farmers, businesses, banks, and scientists.’ Expand the export market for Vietnamese agricultural products.”

Prime Minister PHAM MINH CHINH speaking at the Conference summarizing the agriculture and environment sector in 2025.

Many outstanding results

In terms of rural development and the construction of new rural areas, Dong Nai province continues to maintain its leading position nationwide. Specifically, 67 out of 72 communes in the province meet the standards for new rural areas. The most notable achievement in this effort has been investment in infrastructure and the continuous improvement of income for rural residents.

Dong Nai is also an attractive destination for investment in agricultural production, particularly in the processing of agricultural products. To date, the province has 1,437 agricultural production and processing facilities.

The province has attracted numerous corporations and businesses to invest in agriculture and rural development, forming closed-loop chains from production to processing and consumption. Livestock farming in the province is primarily driven by businesses, accounting for over 90% of the total livestock and poultry population. Integrated chains have been established following a closed-loop model that includes breeding stock, feed, farming, and product consumption. Major corporations and businesses operating in the province include: C.P. Vietnam, Japfa, CJ, Masan, Koyu & Unitek Co., Ltd., Nestlé, Cargill, and De Heus.

Notably, in the animal feed production sector, the province has attracted 63 companies that apply advanced technology, including some of the world’s leading enterprises. The average annual output of animal feed supplied to the market reaches approximately 5 million tons, serving not only the domestic market but also promoting export activities.

In particular, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has encouraged, attracted, and created startup opportunities for many businesses and cooperatives in the agricultural product processing sector, especially for the province’s key agricultural products. In 2025, the OCOP program continued to deliver impressive results, with 80 new products recognized, achieving 177% of the annual plan. To date, the province has 460 OCOP products, including 11 products rated 5 stars and 91 products rated 4 stars.

According to Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province has identified the OCOP program as a highly significant initiative aimed at unlocking the potential and advantages of rural areas and increasing people's income. Through its implementation, the program has gradually affirmed its position, role, and function as a driving force for rural development. It has supported craft villages, businesses, cooperatives, and production and business households in achieving steady growth, while preserving and promoting the cultural values of traditional craft villages.

OCOP entities have continuously improved product quality, invested in equipment and technology, enhanced packaging and design, applied digital transformation in production and business, increased product value, and steadily boosted revenue. Many OCOP products have been exported and are highly appreciated in international markets.

In 2025, Dong Nai's agriculture and environment sector accelerated digital transformation and the application of information technology, achieving a digitization rate of 99.95% for records and a 98.2% rate of online applications, exceeding the assigned target of 80%. Digital transformation and the development of land databases continued to yield many positive results.

By Binh Nguyen - Translated by Quoc Dung, Minho