Innovative seeds lead the way in Netherlands – Viet Nam agricultural cooperation

Working together with private sector

Duong has been working with Dutch seed cultivating giant Rijk Zwaan since he started expanding his flower-growing business to include fruit and vegetables, with some of his most popular products now including Lalique lettuce, tomatoes and baby spinach. Throughout their seven years of collaboration, they go beyond improving seed varieties to testing cultivation procedures and potential markets – a comprehensive effort to ensure yields and output for both sides of the partnership. “Their insights are very helpful and impressive – from the markets for certain types of vegetables to the specifications, standards, quality and even networking to ensure outlets for our products,” said Langbiang Farm director Duong.

Both countries have been aligning efforts for Dutch agribusinesses to grow their markets and for Vietnamese farmers to develop smart and resilient agriculture. Managing director of Rijk Zwaan Viet Nam Dang Van Nien said: “Cultivation techniques are crucial in high-tech agriculture, therefore, our teams stand ready to accompany the farmers in the process of technical transfer.

“This process starts early, from seed variety selection to potting, irrigation and fertilization methods that are tailored to each type of crop.”  

Langbiang Farm is among the Vietnamese local businesses that have gained a competitive edge in the market thanks to the Netherlands-Viet Nam agricultural cooperation, many of whom were able to gain a foothold in nationwide outlets such as Mega Market and Big C (GO!), with the help of their Dutch partners. Meanwhile, WinEco, the supplier of 80 per cent of vegetables at the nationwide supermarket chain WinMart, is estimated to use about ten tonnes of seeds from Rijk Zwaan annually. This gives an annual yield of about 2,500 tonnes across WinEco’s production facilities, which are certified to GlobalGAP and VietGAP standards. WinEco’s CEO Chu Viet Ha said: “This partnership helps increase our productivity by about 15-30 per cent compared to that in the past and these yields facilitate Vietnamese consumers’ access to new, locally-produced vegetables, that are clean and nutritious in place of import products.” These partnerships represent a few among the many agricultural collaborations between the Netherlands and Viet Nam in recent years, with Rijk Zwaan a prime example of Dutch investments into Viet Nam’s agriculture, alongside other major players like Bejo, Enza Zaden and East-West Seed, who have established a presence in this market.

Agricultural counsellor from the Dutch Embassy in Viet Nam, Ingrid Korving, believes that their choice to be based from Viet Nam can be seen as a strategic move to explore the rest of Asia.

At the Viet Nam-Netherlands Mekong Delta Business Forum in March this year, 13 of the 18 cooperation agreements signed focused on sustainable agricultural development. These extend beyond companies to include educational institutions, thereby enhancing knowledge, developing skills and actively engaging young people and academics in sustainable growth.

Bejo is another Dutch company that has recognised Viet Nam’s agricultural potential. In 2019, it opened a seedling research and production centre in the northern Ha Nam Province, which focuses on developing the ideal seed varieties for Viet Nam. These R&D activities are also further supported by the membership of both the Netherlands and Viet Nam in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). Viet Nam is one of the only two Southeast Asian countries participating in this convention, the other being Singapore.

“We can submit plant variety protection applications in the Netherlands or in other countries and they will also be accepted for protection in Viet Nam without having to redo the process. “I believe that this is a very good policy that protects the rights of seed companies, especially those that engage in seed variety imports,” said Rijk Zwaan Viet Nam’s managing director.

Viet Nam’s flowers and ornamental plants have been exported to more than 40 countries, with Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, the USA and Australia being the top five largest markets, according to AGROINFO. In particular, Dalat Hasfarm emerges as a leading business in sustainably bringing Viet Nam-grown flowers to foreign markets.

Viet Nam’s coordinator of the Netherlands-Viet Nam Horti Business Platform (NVHBP) Mai Hong, observed that this is a prime example of Dutch horticultural technology finding success in Viet Nam, with over 30 years of experience in this Southeast Asian market. “They are diligent and have been providing training and creating jobs for Vietnamese labour,” said Hong.

“Most importantly, they have fostered a new consumer habit in the Vietnamese market, as before they arrived, locals did not have access to Dutch flowers in such abundance and at such affordable prices.” On a broader scale, the Dalat Flower Association (DFA) and the NVHBP signed a cooperation agreement for research, development and commercial projects in the flower industry in September 2023. They expect to continue their exchanges on horticultural technology and market insights in the coming years.

“The Netherlands has undertaken specific and practical initiatives, from facilitating trade connections between businesses, farmers and government agencies,” said Langbiang Farm’s owner Duong. Between the Dutch and Vietnamese businesses, field visits, seminars, training sessions, fairs and exhibitions are held every year and vice versa, Dutch experts visit Viet Nam to learn our practices and assist us – we say ‘travel broadens the mind’ and that is truly valuable in this case. Not only sharing their wealth of experiences, they also willing to provide support in every aspect, including technology challenges – and that is a comprehensive partnership,” said Duong.