The dialogue took place during the Vietnam visit by Dutch Foreign Minister Lan Marten van den Berg. The Netherlands and Vietnam formed the strategic partnership in water management and climate change adaptation in 2010, and in sustainable agriculture and food security in 2014. Both sides discussed expertise and innovations in agriculture, especially in food security and safety, and technology transfer.
Manager for International Agribusiness Michiel van Erkel, who led the Dutch delegation, believed that close cooperation will allow Vietnam and the Netherlands to increase value to the supply of more safe, sustainably-produced food.
Nathan Belete, Manager of the World Bank Agriculture & Food Practice, hailed Vietnam’s potential of high-value food such as nuts, spices, processed and eco-friendly food with geographical indication.
Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Do Anh Tuan said businesses which boast feasible projects could contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) if they want to hire a vast land area for production at preferential prices.
Vice Director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point Le Thanh Hoa suggested Dutch firms partner with those licensed to export aquatic products as listed by the MARD. On the opening of the beef market in Vietnam, Hoa proposed both sides hold bilateral negotiations to gradually devise a roadmap in the field.
Vietnam and Netherlands on March inked a deal on cooperation in the field of fruit and vegetables, marking a new chapter in agricultural cooperation between the two countries. The signing in Hanoi was part of the round table conference on the establishment of the Vietnam – Netherlands Cooperation Forum.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Dang Khoa said that the agreement will open up a new prospect for the development of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables sector, helping ensure food security, hygiene and more income for local people.
Under the deal, Vietnam and Netherlands will set up a cooperation partnership in the field in which key players will be enterprises of the two sides with support of the Governments. The cooperation will focus on developing mechanisms and policies to pave the way for the players to have effective participation in the partnership, enhancing capacity via short and long-term training, exchange of experts and encouraging agricultural expansion.
Netherlands will transfer technologies to Vietnam, especially those in selecting, producing and processing seeds; post-harvest activities; production organisation and management for improved quality and food hygiene. Currently, Vietnam is one of the world’s five leading exporters of fruit and vegetables. The country exports its products to nearly 40 countries and territories. In 2012, it bagged over 800 million USD from the export of these items. The two sides will also join hands in quarantine and protection for plants, market orientation, perfecting the supply chain, promoting green production which is adaptive to climate change.
