An Australian agricultural research expert has highlighted the quality of Vietnam’s fruit trees and the country’s achievements in creating high-quality fruit varieties for export.

CEO of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Nick Austin made the statement after working with the Southern Fruit Trees Research Institute and attending Vietnam ’s first fruit festival being held in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang from April 19-24.

Austin also visited labs and test-growing areas of the Southern Fruit Trees Research Institute and trial bio-fertiliser fields in Cai Lay district.

Agriculture cooperation is an important field in the Vietnam - Australia relationship.

During the visit, Austin is scheduled to hold working sessions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Planning and Investment along with agricultural research institutes on donor cooperation in research and development in Vietnamese agriculture and specific areas where ACIAR may assist in the future./.