The Vietnamese and Thai agriculture ministers discussed cooperation to build sustainable rice markets and increase the value of exported farm produce during their meeting in Hanoi on March 12.

Thai Minister Petipong Pungbun Naaydhya noted that Thailand and Vietnam are the two biggest exporters of agricultural products in Southeast Asia and among the leading exporters in the world.

However, the competitive global price of farm produce has pushed the prices of key staples like rice, rubber, seafood, vegetables, fruits and sugarcane down, adversely affecting farmers, he said.

Vietnam and Thailand grow similar rice seeds and collectively comprise more than half of the global rice exports, he said.

He suggested the two countries put forth a cooperation strategy to build a sustainable farm produce market for their long-term mutual interests, including defining grain standards, prices, and quality.

Minister Cao Duc Phat reiterated that Vietnam is home to 4 million hectares of rice and one million hectares of rubber, and stated his country’s intention to work closely with Thailand to generate mutual long-term benefits.-VNA