Vietnamese and Dutch experts compared notes on scientific, technological and financial solutions to boost sustainable agricultural development and respond to climate change in the Mekong Delta at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on March 21.
HCM City (VNA) – Vietnamese and Dutchexperts compared notes on scientific, technological and financial solutions to boostsustainable agricultural development and respond to climate change in theMekong Delta at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on March 21.
“The Vietnam-Netherlands: Mekong Delta Business Forum2024” was organised by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam, and theEuropean country’s Consulate General in HCM City.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Tran Thanh Nam said the Mekong Delta is a key agriculturalproduction hub of Vietnam, providing 56% of rice output, 70% of aquaticproducts, and 64% of fruits for the domestic market and exports.
However, limited transport infrastructure remains abottleneck in regional development, along with climate change impacts, saltwaterintrusion and erosion, although the Government and localities have taken astring of countermeasures, the official noted.
He also briefed the participants on the development planfor the Mekong Delta for the 2021-2030 period with a vision towards 2050, whichtargets green, nature-based agricultural transformation, and the enhancement oftransport and logistics connectivity with HCM City and the southern keyeconomic zone.
To that end, the region needs huge resources in termsof science, technology and finance, he said, stressing the importance ofinternational cooperation and investment, including that from the Netherlands,in this regard.
Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management MarkHarbers pointed to both opportunities and challenges to agriculture in Vietnamand its Mekong Delta region, and affirmed that the Netherlands stands ready toshare its experience and cooperate with Vietnam in delta planning, withsolutions that harmonise economic growth and nature conservation.
Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food QualityChristianne van der Wal-Zeggelink said agricultural development programmes inspecial regions like the Mekong Delta need the engagement of different sides.
Agricultural production in the context of climatechange requires crop varieties with high tolerance to soil salinity,she suggested, adding that pesticides should be replaced by natural enemies toensure product quality and protect the environment.
Within the framework of the working trip to HCM Cityby the Dutch business delegation, enterprises and organisations of theNetherlands and the Mekong Delta signed 18 memoranda of understanding andcooperation agreements in many fields, from aquaculture and sustainable ricecultivation to water treatment technology, and climate change response./.
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The year 2023 was an important milestone in the Vietnam-Netheralnds relations as the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.
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A panel discussion at the forum. (Photo: VNA) 
