Vietnam and Netherlands on March 28 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 held on March 27.

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.

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.

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.-VNA