Vietnam has set a growth target between 3.2 percent and 4 percent for the agricultural sector in 2024 with a total export turnover of some 54-55 billion U.S. dollars, Vietnam News reported citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday.

The sector aims to bring the Southeast Asian country's rural modernization rate to 80 percent, forest coverage to 42.02 percent, the number of rural households with access to potable water to over 58 percent and the number of local products meeting the country's One Commune One Product Program standards to 11,500, according to the ministry.

The sector also aims to plan production in line with the market and ensure a supply source to meet the domestic and export demands.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said 2023 was a year of unprecedented achievements in agricultural exports to Vietnam, highlighted by a historical peak in rice exports at nearly 8.3 million tons, accompanied by record-high grain prices globally.

In 2023, the country's export turnover for agriculture, forestry and fisheries exceeded 53 billion U.S. dollars with a trade surplus of 12.07 billion dollars, the highest figure to date, said the ministry.