Vietnam Seeks to Attract ODA in Agricultural Sector

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has built a number of measures to encourage inflows of official development assistance (ODA) into the country’s agricultural sector, state media reported. Prioritized fields for ODA will be irrigational and rural infrastructure development and climate change, the ministry said, adding it will raise the efficiency of financial resources and gain trust from ODA donors. Between 1993 and 2013, Vietnam’s agricultural sector attracted $5.5 billion of ODA from 41 donors, or 7% of the total ODA the country received during the period. The World Bank and Asia Development Bank (ADB) are the largest providers of ODA for Vietnam’s agriculture with a combined $3.15 billion, taking up 57.3% of the total ODA for the sector. Japan is the largest sole provider of ODA for Vietnam’s agriculture, with $1.3 billion in 70 projects, including $300 million grant in 60 technical projects. Vietnam’s agricultural sector accounts 20% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Over 70% of the Vietnamese population, which is estimated to be 90 million, live in rural areas. (ven.vn Dec 19)