Uzbekistan, Vietnam Expand Agricultural Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan is currently on a visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, where it is participating in the 10th International Agricultural Exhibition ILDEX Vietnam and familiarising itself with modern agricultural technologies.

As part of the visit, the delegation visited the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute. Following negotiations, an agreement was reached on the implementation of a joint science and innovation cooperation programme in rice production until 2030.

The Uzbek side was also handed 20 varieties and samples of Vietnamese-bred early-maturing and stress-resistant agricultural crops. These varieties are characterised by resistance to salinity, diseases and drought.

According to the presented data, Vietnam is one of the world’s largest rice producers, harvesting more than 43 million tonnes annually, with crops grown up to three times per year.

During the visit, initiatives were discussed on the transfer of rice processing technologies, including the production of mushrooms from rice straw, starch, alcohol and animal feed, as well as scientific analysis of methane emissions from rice fields and capacity building for specialists.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation in poultry farming, beekeeping, livestock breeding and aquaculture, as well as the implementation of investment projects involving foreign companies.

Meetings were also held with international companies, including De Heus in Vietnam, Filiera, Jodobet and Saturn Bio Tek, on issues related to seed production, feed manufacturing and biotechnology in agriculture.

Within the framework of the visit, the parties discussed prospects for agricultural exports and imports between the two countries, as well as expansion of cooperation in sericulture, hemp cultivation and jute farming.

Following the discussions, agreements were reached on the development of educational cooperation, including the invitation of Vietnamese students to agricultural universities in Uzbekistan and the study of experience from processing enterprises.