Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (R) and Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil at their meeting in Hanoi (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam has long appreciated Canada's cooperation, including in agriculture, which, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said, is also evidence of the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past 50 years.
The agriculture of the two countries does not compete but complements each other, Minister Le Minh Hoan told Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil and Counsellor for Cooperation and Development at the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi Brian Allemekinders during their working session on September 14.
Canada has many strengths in various fields and Vietnam is among the largest agricultural exporters in the world, the minister added.
He hopes that the Ambassador will pay attention to helping the two countries raise two-way export turnover in the coming time.
Vietnam is implementing a strategy to develop sustainable rural agriculture, toward high-quality, circular, low-emission agriculture. This is especially the case in the rice industry, where they will gradually expand to other industries in the direction of developing a green growth economy. These moves complement the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 at COP26.
The International Rice Festival will take place later this year in Vietnam. The country, through the event, wants to convey a message to the world that its agriculture not only ensures food security for local people but also stands ready to supply sustenance to the world amidst a crisis due to recent export adjustments by various countries.
Vietnam wishes Canada support digital transformation in agriculture (Photo: VietnamPlus) During the transformation process, Vietnam needs resources and technical advice from international organisations and developed countries, Hoan said, expressing his hope that Canada have programmes to support Vietnam in green transformation in the agricultural sector as well as climate change adaptation.
As Vietnam has just begun implementing digital transformation in agriculture, the minister suggested Canada, with its experience and resources, help Vietnam in technology so it can accelerate the transformation, especially in the Mekong Delta – the country’s key agricultural production hub.
Ambassador Steil said along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), cooperation between the two countries has recently seen new developments, including Canada's exports to Vietnam hitting about 400 million USD and Vietnam’s exports to Canada at about 900 million USD.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan presents a gift as souvenir to Ambassador Shawn Steil (Photo: VietnamPlus) He was pleased to announce that Canada recently approved a project on supporting coastal communities in smart adaptation to climate change. The 20 million USD project will be carried out through UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as a direct partner and several localities.
Currently, the Canadian side is also implementing the Safe Food for Growth Project (SAFEGRO) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The goal of the project is not only to ensure food safety for Vietnamese consumers but also helps ensure that Vietnam's agricultural products have high quality and meet export standards.
The Ambassador affirmed to continue paying attention so as to further promote effective and substantial cooperation between Canada and Vietnam in the future. He believed that the milestone of 50th anniversary of Canada-Vietnam diplomatic cooperation this year will be the next step for the two countries to boost their relationship and effective cooperation in the field of agriculture./.
