Netherlands, Can Tho work to develop sustainable agriculture
Authorities of Mekong Can Tho city and Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman discussed the development of hi-tech agriculture and response to climate change during their working session on November 9.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam speaks at a Vietnam - Netherlands seminar on agriculture held in Can Tho on November 9 (Photo: VNA)
Can Tho (VNA) – Authorities of Mekong Can Tho city and Ambassadorof the Netherlands to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman discussed the development ofhi-tech agriculture and response to climate change during their working sessionon November 9.
Ambassador Akkerman spoke highly of farming potential of Can Tho and said theNetherlands wants to establish a partnership in the field with the city.
She said the efforts made by the local government and businesses toincrease the value and quality of farm products drew interests of manyagricultural businesses from the Netherlands, including De Heus, FrieslandCampina, and Nova Exhibitions.
However, Dutch experts found the application of scientific and technologicaladvances and mechanization in agriculture in Can Tho have yet been optimized sothe commercial prices of farm products there face a decline of 15-20 percent.
According to Akkerman, a productive and sustainable hi-tech agriculturerequires the immediate support of complete legal documents and land andinvestment attraction policy, while the planning of farming areas needs to takeinto account supply and demand.
The competitiveness of hi-tech farm products must be improved, and the trainingof human resources and the transfer of technology to businesses should receivedue attention, she said.
Representatives from the Netherlands Embassy suggested working with the localgovernment to connect Can Tho businesses, breeders and farmers with Dutchpartners and said the Netherlands will send post-harvest experts to Can Tho to transfertechnology.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam said hebelieves in the prospect of cooperation between Can Tho and the Netherlands.
He pledged that the city authorities will assist farmers to invest in post-harvestpreservation and processing machinery through non-interest lending programme.
The most preferential treatments will be offered to Dutch businesses wheninvesting in Can Tho, he said.-VNA
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The Netherlands is keen on cooperating with the Mekong Delta region and Vietnam in general in boosting commercial agriculture growth in a manner beneficial to both humans and the environment, stated Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman on September 9.
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Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam speaks at a Vietnam - Netherlands seminar on agriculture held in Can Tho on November 9 (Photo: VNA) 
