Illustrative image. (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)

Manila (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development LeMinh Hoan on November 24 held a working session with the Manila-basedInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

♍ Hoan, who was accompanying National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on hisofficial visit to the Philippines, thanked IRRI's support and cooperation withVietnam in specific areas such as gene conservation, variety research,cultivation process, technology transfer and capacity building for Vietnameseofficials, saying they have contributed to the sustainable development ofVietnam's rice sector.

Vietnam's rice sector has formany years remained a main pillar of national food security and activelycontributed to global food security, he said.
       
As Vietnam's agricultural sector in general and rice industry, in particular,are facing many challenges to undergo drastic transformation to enhance addedvalue, quality, brand and environmental friendliness, Hoan suggested IRRI, aswell as the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (OneCGIAR), continue to support the country in the areas that IRRI and One CGIARhave strengths and are in line with Vietnam's Strategy for SustainableAgriculture and Rural Development for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to2050. 

🅠 He also said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)wants to receive assistance in expanding a project on high-quality andlow-emission rice cultivation areas in the Mekong Delta.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (fifth from right) visited the International Rice Research Institute. (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)

Currently, IRRI is coordinating One CGIAR's eight major research programmeswith Vietnam, including regenerative agriculture, emission-neutral agriculture,agro-biodiversity and sustainable landscapes, and enhance chain value and agriculturaltrade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Cao Duc Phat, Chairman of the IRRI Board of Trustees, who is a former Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development, said IRRI pledged to accompany the MARDin developing and implementing the project on high-quality rice cultivationareas that ensure competitiveness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in theMekong Delta.

🧸 At the meeting, the two sides agreed to complete procedures so that acooperation plan framework between the MARD and IRRI for the 2023-2025 period,with a vision to 2030 will be signed next year./.