Experts discuss measures to develop food processing industry in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) Can Tho (VNA) – Vietnamese and Japanese experts gathered at aseminar held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on December 20, discussingmeasures to develop the food processing industry in Vietnam.
According to a representative from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade andIndustry, Vietnamese agriculture, particularly the agro-forestry-fisherysector, has grown well in recent years. However, incomplete infrastructure forthe production of high-quality products and poor marketing strategies, togetherwith unstandardised human resources on export procedures, hygiene andtechniques have resulted in a weak food processing industry.
In fact, most Vietnamese agricultural shipments are raw products with low-addedvalue, he said.
Tools and mechanisms should be put in place to prevent trade counterfeit fromthe farming stage, he said, with human resources training needed so workers canmaster modern production.
Meanwhile, authorities must promote communication work to raise publicawareness of the safe use of pesticides, as though many Vietnamese farmers haveagreed to stop using chemicals, Japanese importers still found pesticideresidue higher than permitted levels.
On processing and transporting, he suggested completing transportinfrastructure and building ice storage systems to prevent post-harvest losses.Meanwhile, independent authorities should inspect the quality of the completefood.
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Department of Asia-AfricaMarkets Do Quoc Hung said the state needs to complete legal frameworks inagricultural industry and complete an online database on market information andfood safety and hygiene standards.
He also stressed the importance of human resources training via the state’sassistance programmes.
Forming a production value chain is important for Vietnamese firms if they wantto partner with Japanese partners with stringent standards for imports, saidKatsuki Kishi, General Director of the Aeon Topvalu Co., Ltd.
He said that developing strong brands with certificates from prestigious foodverification agencies and green cultivating models are key as well.
At the event, the Japan Food Safety Certification was introduced to theparticipants by the Japan Food Safety Management Association.-VNA
VNA
