Delegates speak at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Science-technology isa breakthrough solution to green and high-value agriculture development, saidMinister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong.
He made the statement at a session onagriculture business and technology within the framework of the GMS BusinessSummit in Hanoi on March 30.
The Minister highlighted the important role of agriculture in economic growthand sustainable development of GMS nations, particularly Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV). The sector provides livelihoods for the regionalcitizens, particularly the low-income groups.
Cuong underlined the export capability and competitiveness of GMS agriculturalproducts thanks to the region’s favourable geographic location as a gateway tothe Asia – Pacific region and the world.
In the coming time, agriculture will continue being an important sector toensure food security, promote poverty reduction and hunger eradication, andserve as important support for other economic sectors, Cuong affirmed.
The fourth industrial revolution presents an opportunity for the GMSnations to boost hi-tech agriculture, in terms of artificial intellectual toreduce labour force and biotechnology to create high-yield varieties, amongothers, he said.
Technology application in agriculture produce has helped halved the povertyrate in GMS nations over the past years, thanks to increased productivity andincome for farmers.
He called on the GMS nations to develop a cross-border agriculture value chainwith application of technology while exchanging information andcooperating closely together in building strategies and making planning forregional agriculture development.
Focus should be placed on developing logistics to support agriculture and managingcross-border agricultural products’ quality.
The GMS nations should also strengthentechnology application in managing natural resources, natural disasters, andthe use of Mekong water resources for agriculture.
Participants suggested the regional countries build a policy framework tofacilitate participation of private sector in ensuring food security inparticular and contributing to the regional economic growth in general.
They also attached significance to direct linkage between farmers and tradershelp farmers produce their products in line with the standards while increasingfarmers’ income.
Ngo Minh Hai, Chairman of the TH True Milk, said his group works directly withhouseholds and cooperatives to ensure they grow grasses and cows in line withthe company’s requirement in terms of production procedure and productsquality.
They provide training courses and technical assistance for involved farmers,thus introducing them to technologies applied in their farming, while givingthem sustainable livelihoods and incomes.
Dang Hoang Giang, President of the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACASS)underlined the factor of technology application in increasing the value ofagricultural products in general and cashew nuts in particular.
He also stressed the need for developing large-scale fields and specialisedcrops to ensure efficient application of technology in production andprocessing.
Ousmane Dione, Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam, affirmed that theagricultural sector continues to be the key factor for economic growth andsustainable development of the GMS nations.
The regional nations need to ensure the sector will be competitive, adaptive toclimate change, and integrate into the regional and global supply chains.
The first-ever Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) BusinessSummit forms part of the sixth GMS Summit (GMS-6) and the 10thCambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit (CLV-10).
As an initiative of host Vietnam, the event aims tostrengthen dialogues between enterprises and governments and connect businessesin the region and the world, while encouraging resources from the privatesector for the GMS Programme.-VNA
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