Decision No. 201/QD-TTg On policies to support the recovery of winter-spring rice cultivation in 2007-2008 and cattle breeding affected by severe cold in 2008

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the policy to support the recovery of winter-spring rice cultivation in 2007-2008

and cattle breeding affected by severe cold in 2008

____________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECISION:

Article 1. The state budget shall provide financial support for purchasing rice seeds to recover winter-spring rice cultivation in 2007-2008 and livestock breeds to recover cattle breeding affected by severe cold in 2008, specifically as follows:

1. Content of support:

a) Provide 50% of the cost of rice seeds according to the seed structure and planting season for winter-spring rice cultivation in 2007-2008 in each locality;

b) Provide an average of 1 million VND per head of cattle, buffalo, calf, or young buffalo that died due to the cold.

2. Source of financial support: Central reserve funds will contribute 30%, while local reserve funds will contribute 70% according to the levels of support specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Based on specific conditions and budget capacity of each locality, the Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities may decide to provide additional support beyond the level specified in Clause 1 of this Article for poor households and those in particularly difficult areas.

Article 2. Regarding loans for farmers

1. Suspend loan repayment for a period of 12 months for the outstanding balance as of February 29, 2008, for loans taken out by farmers in affected areas from state-owned commercial banks for cattle breeding purposes.

2. Farmers who have their loans suspended under the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article, if they need to borrow money to recover cattle breeding, shall be allowed to continue borrowing according to the provisions of the law.

Article 3. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, based on the extent of damage in each locality and the provisions of this Decision, shall use the central government's budget reserve for 2008 to support the localities and compile the results for reporting to the Prime Minister.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for:

a) Coordinate with localities to guide farmers to effectively implement measures to prevent and combat cold for seedlings, rice, and cattle; seed structure and planting schedule suitable for each locality;

b) Direct and inspect the work of preventing and combating cold for seedlings, rice, and cattle in localities.

3. The State Bank of Vietnam, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, shall guide the implementation of Article 2 of this Decision.

4. The Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for:

a) Directing the organization of forces and means to prevent and combat cold for seedlings, rice, and cattle in their respective areas, ensuring the planned rice planting area;

b) Actively using local budgets in conjunction with central government support funds and other legitimate sources to implement the policies stipulated in this Decision, ensuring that funds are used for their intended purpose, for the correct beneficiaries, and are effective;

c) After the end of the severe cold period until the end of February 2008, report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance the results of the work to prevent and combat cold for rice and cattle for compilation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

Article 4. This Decision shall take effect from the date of signing.

Article 5. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly under the central government are responsible for implementing this Decision./.