Australia, Vietnam cooperate in agricultural research

Le Quoc Doanh (R), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Peter Horne, general manager of country programs at ACIAR, sign a letter of intent on long-term cooperation in agricultural research in Can Tho City on August 21 - PHOTO: MARD

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on August 21 signed a letter of intent on long-term cooperation in agricultural research.

The 10-year strategy guides future programs for collaborative research, including research themes, geographic focuses and funding priorities from 2017 to 2027.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick said in a statement released on August 21 that he welcomed the active participation of Vietnamese partners in the development of the strategy. “The new strategy provides a roadmap for Australia and Vietnam to work in equal partnership with mutual contributions and benefits for economic growth, security and innovation under the next 10-year framework for collaborative agricultural research.”

In the next decade, ACIAR will cooperate with the ministry and other partners to continue assisting Vietnam to address obstacles to agricultural development under six focus research areas including food safety, climate change, improving soil fertility and crop efficiency, improving market engagement, improving the value from forests and aquaculture.

ACIAR will implement research across Vietnam, with a particular focus on the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands and Northwest Highlands. Future research will involve the private sector to catalyze opportunities for the rural and urban poor.

Collaborative projects will also focus on highly applicable practices, creating opportunities for women to participate in and benefit from research, agribusiness systems and on-farm activities.

The capacity of Vietnamese researchers, farmers, extension workers and students will be improved through working with Australian and international scientists.

Vietnam and Australia enjoy a strong and mutually beneficial relationship, with two-way trade worth over 10 billion Australian dollars annually.

Collaboration in agricultural research between the two countries has developed through the ACIAR’s program. Since 1993, ACIAR has invested 100 million Australian dollars in 170 research projects in Vietnam, across agriculture, forestry and fisheries.