Impacts of the Netherlands agri-food and horticultural mission to Vietnam
From 19 to 22 March 2024, a large economic mission from the Netherlands came to Vietnam, in which 40 companies in the agrifood and horticulture sectors were led by Minister for Nature and Nitrogen Policy at Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Ms. Christianne van der Wal. The mission played an important role in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands as 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership Arrangement on sustainable agriculture and food security as well as the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Results of the agri-food and horticultural mission:
- Intensified the cooperation between the governments of Vietnam and the Netherlands
- Successfully launching of the #EmpowerYouth4Food campaign in Vietnam
- Collaboration between Westland municipality and Lam Dong province
- Signing of 14 agriculture Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between companies
- Creating platform for Dutch and Vietnamese companies to work together
Strengthening government to government cooperation
Minister Christianne van der Wal and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan committed to work together towards sustainable food systems. They also discussed the significant progress of the 10 years of the Strategic Partnership Agreement on sustainable agriculture and food security between both countries.
Moving forward, key areas of cooperation include horticulture and sustainable aquaculture with the Dutch and Vietnamese private sector as a driving force.
Engaging youth into the future of agriculture
During the sustainable food systems the ministers launched the #Empower Youth4Food campagne Vietnam. For detailed information, please read the articles here: Engaging Vietnamese youth in agriculture through collaboration with the Netherlands | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland
Connecting two countries’ horticultural centers
Moving from the north to central highlands of Vietnam, Minister van der Wal and the companies paid a visit to Lam Dong province – Vietnam’s horticultural hub. The delegation had a meeting with Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Lam Dong People's Committee, discussing on collaboration in horticultural and floricultural production and technology, as well as the potential cooperation with similar localities of the Netherlands, in particular Westland.
Field trips
The delegation visited Vietnamese companies and farms in the province of Lam Dong who are working together with Dutch companies from starting materials to growing and post-harvest technology.
Minister v/d Wal also visited the Dutch company Nedspice and their sustainable spice producing facility in Binh Duong. Nedspice informed the Minister about the Nedspice Farmers Partnership Program, which encourage farmers to make their cultivation practices more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
The various site visit activities helped companies understand more about the Vietnamese market and facilitated a great platform for Vietnamese and Dutch businesses to work together.
Mekong Delta Business Forum 2024
Over the past 50 years, the Mekong Delta has always been a focus of the two countries’ cooperation. During the Mekong Delta Business Forum 14 MoU’s s in agricultural sector were signed between Vietnamese and Dutch businesses and organizations, showing a commitment to mutual green growth and sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Vietnam.
Conclusion
The Netherlands and Vietnam are both delta countries with major international trade hubs but also facing a lot of similar challenges in climate change and biodiversity loss, which required urgent action and a comprehensive approach in our transition towards sustainable agriculture. With a world-class group of Dutch business and organizations in the agricultural sector represented in the mission and the extensive site visits and meetings with Vietnamese counterparts, the mission definitely had results and further strengthened the strong collaboration of the two countries, for a sustainable, inclusive, green and prosperous future.
If you want to feed the world in 2050, then for the next 40 years we need to produce the same amount of food as we did over the last 8,000 years! Food itself is not a stand-alone subject but it is a part of a system: the food system – with all factors that are important for guaranteeing food security and sustainability. Ensuring global food security requires an integrated approach that takes into account all the main influences involved. There are four domains to look at:
- Food security
- Safe & healthy diets,
- Inclusiveness & equitable benefits,
- Sustainability & resilience
Sharing natural similarities and long-standing agricultural traditions, Vietnam and the Netherlands are working together and contributing to the ongoing improvement of the food systems for both.
Do you have any questions for the agriculture department please send an email to HAN-LNV@minbuza.nl. For the latest updates, news funding opportunities and more, follow us on Twitter @AgroVietnam and LinkedIn Netherlands Agricultural Network in Vietnam.