Vietnam and Netherlands on March 28 inked a deal on cooperation in
the field of fruit and vegetables, marking a new chapter in agricultural
cooperation between the two countries.

The signing
in Hanoi was part of the round table conference on the
establishment of the Vietnam – Netherlands Cooperation Forum held on
March 27.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Dang Khoa said that the
agreement will open up a new prospect for the development of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables sector, helping ensure food security, hygiene
and more income for local people.

Under the deal,
Vietnam and Netherlands will set up a cooperation partnership
in the field in which key players will be enterprises of the two sides
with support of the Governments. The cooperation will focus on
developing mechanisms and policies to pave the way for the players to
have effective participation in the partnership, enhancing capacity via
short and long-term training, exchange of experts and encouraging
agricultural expansion.

Netherlands will
transfer technologies to Vietnam, especially those in selecting,
producing and processing seeds; post-harvest activities; production
organisation and management for improved quality and food hygiene.

The two sides will also join hands in quarantine and protection for
plants, market orientation, perfecting the supply chain, promoting green
production which is adaptive to climate change.

Currently, Vietnam is one of the world’s five leading exporters of
fruit and vegetables. The country exports its products to nearly 40
countries and territories. In 2012, it bagged over 800 million USD from
the export of these items.-VNA