Source: vneconomy.vn
The sustainable value chain project for coffee and pepper is one of ACIAR’s successful projects in Vietnam.
On the occasion of Professor Wendy Umberger’s first visit to Vietnam as CEO of ACIAR, on the afternoon of May 7, 2024 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Center for Agricultural Research Australia International (ACIAR) co-hosted the ACIAR – Vietnam partnership meeting to discuss cooperation strategies and research priorities in the coming time.
FOR EVERY 1 AUD SUPPORT, BRINGS 90 AUD IN PROFIT TO SMALL FARMERS
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development wants to cooperate closely with ACIAR to plan for strengthening the capacity of research activities in the field of agriculture. . The large-scale and strategic cooperation between the two sides aims to achieve Vietnam’s goals of green growth, developing multi-value agriculture, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for people.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien: “Cooperation between the two sides aims to achieve Vietnam’s goals of green growth and multi-value agriculture.”
Mr. Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said that Vietnam and Australia have become comprehensive strategic partners of each other. As Australia’s agricultural agency, ACIAR continues to play an important role in supporting Vietnam to achieve its agricultural and rural development goals through effective research collaboration. This is not only a connection between donors and recipients but also involves the participation of relevant parties and partners to share knowledge.
“Today’s partnership meeting and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agricultural research between ACIAR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in March 2024 marks a closer cooperative relationship in the field of agricultural research. cooperative system, towards the goals of sustainable agricultural development and equal partnership,” Mr. Goledzinowski shared.
“From 1993 to present, ACIAR has invested in more than 260 projects specifically for Vietnam and regional projects in which Vietnam participates with a total value of more than 184 million AUD.”
Professor Wendy Umberger, Executive Director of ACIAR.
Female Professor Wendy Umberger, Executive Director of ACIAR, said that the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an agency responsible for agricultural research for development of the Australian government, within the framework of the Australian Government’s program. Australian government development aid program. ACIAR provides the foundational knowledge and technology to build more productive, more sustainable agricultural systems and more resilient food systems, for the benefit of developing countries. and Australia. Since 1993, ACIAR has cooperated with Vietnam in construction, investment and management of programs and projects.
Female Professor Wendy Umberger said that during 31 years of cooperation, according to research on independent projects of ACIAR, every 1 AUD ACIAR invested in support brought value equivalent to 90 AUD for small farmers in Vietnam. .
“We want to hear about the Vietnamese Government’s priorities to understand where Australia’s comparative advantage lies and what support we can provide. From there, leading to advanced systems, science and technology to help Vietnam solve agricultural problems,” Ms. Wendy said.
8 NEW PROJECTS WILL BE DEPLOYED
According to ACIAR Vietnam, in the period 2018-2025, ACIAR has been supporting 23 projects in Vietnam or regional projects in which Vietnam participates, including 3 recently completed projects, and 20 unfinished projects. , is still ongoing. Many projects have brought great success such as: Technical support for sea cucumber farming in the community; Developing the pearl farming industry; Sustainable value chain for coffee and pepper (V-SCOPE Project); Small farmers participating in the commercial beef supply chain…
During the period 2024-2027, ACIAR will support Vietnam’s agricultural sector to implement 8 new projects with a total expected ODA capital of more than 8 million AUD.
Firstly, the project “Resolving bottlenecks in the Vietnam-Australia grouper value chain” (FIS/2022/148), implemented during 2024-2027, with a capital of 2,500,000 AUD.
Second, the project “Assessing citrus industry development priorities” (HORT/2023/179) will be implemented from 2024-2025 with a financial amount of 500,000 AUD.
Third, the project “Digitalization in VietGAP compliance monitoring in the fruit value chain” (AGB/2022/114) will be implemented from 2024-2027 with a financial amount of 2,100,679 AUD.
Fourth, the project “Diversifying livelihoods with indigenous tree varieties in the Northwest” (FST/2023/150) with a capital of 500,000 AUD implemented in 2024-2025.
Fifth, the project “Mangrove conversion in the Mekong” (CLIM/2023/190) with 471,200 AUD, implemented in 2024-2025.
Sixth, the project “Land survey in the Central Highlands” (SLAM/2023/142) with a financial amount of 500,000 AUD, implemented in 2024-2025.
Seventh, Project “The role of remote sensors in water management for agriculture” (WAC/2023/117) with a financial amount of 330,000 AUD, implemented in 2024-2025.
Eighth, the “Roadmap for future farmers” project (SSS/2022/134), implemented from 2024-2027 in Vietnam and Laos with a capital of 1,500,000 AUD.
During the meeting, Vietnamese partners shared information and experiences from typical projects. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, mentioned a number of programs and projects that have clear positive impacts, such as the fruit and vegetable development project group. , beef cattle, agroforestry, sloping land conservation in the Northwest; Select, breed and develop acacia and eucalyptus plantations, creating a solid foundation for the current 2.5 million hectares of plantation forests; Developing oyster farming in coastal provinces…
Based on the potential and advantages of both sides, in the coming period, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment proposes that the two sides consider prioritizing a number of issues such as research such as selecting, creating and developing plant varieties. Key crops adapted to drought and salinity; conserve, restore, exploit and develop indigenous and endemic plant varieties; chain management; applying new technology in the field of cultivation; selecting and breeding key livestock breeds; developing aquatic food and marine farming technology; develop agroforestry systems; Develop a toolkit to support decision-making on carbon credit exchange and offset mechanisms…
On May 7, 2024, ACIAR’s General Director met and worked with the Vietnam Women’s Union.
Vice President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Tran Lan Phuong highly appreciated the activities of the Australian Government and ACIAR in recent times in supporting and cooperating with the Vietnam Women’s Union to achieve many results through programs. , project for women.
Professor Wendy Umberger expressed her great impression with the great role of women and the activities of the Vietnam Women’s Union in supporting and accompanying women to improve their lives, develop the economy, especially especially agricultural economics.
Ms. Wendy Umberger said that with 50% of Vietnamese women participating in the agricultural sector, they play a very important role in agricultural development and food security. This is also an important condition for ACIAR and the Vietnam Women’s Union to have more cooperative activities and support for women in the agricultural sector in the coming time.
