Cooperation in agricultural technology transfer and labor between Vietnam and Japan

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam held multiple meetings with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), local governments, and businesses as part of MARD's official visit to Japan to enhance agricultural cooperation.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam met with Mr. Kenichi Shishido, Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam informed that the Ministry plans to organize a ceremony to handover equipment and launch the Reference Testing & Agrifood Quality Consultancy Center (RETAQ) in July. Additionally, these events will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. 

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam invited JICA representatives to attend the ceremony. The Deputy Minister also requested JICA to open training courses to improve testing and verification capacity for officials under the Ministry.

The Ministry also suggested JICA to provide capacity building for community extension as part of the Enhancing the Safe Crops Value Chain in Northern Vietnam Project, which will end in 2024. According to the "Strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development from 2021 to 2030, with a vision towards 2055", Vietnam will consolidate and develop community agricultural extension models at the grassroots level in association with the development of large-scale agro-forestry-fishery raw material areas.

In addition, the Deputy Minister asked JICA for support in the construction of "Green Innovation Centers in Agriculture and Food", technology transfer training, innovative start-ups in rural areas and South Vietnam. Furthermore, local governments with marine and forest areas in Vietnam will be assisted with building Forest and Marine Biological Conservation Centers and Biological Conservation Centers in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang provinces. Technical assistance will also be provided for general biodiversity conservation in Vietnam

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will propose the Project on "Smart cold chain logistics development in the Mekong Delta and Southeast region" in July. Accordingly, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam requested JICA to introduce this project to its major businesses for support in the implementation.

Mr. Kenichi Shishido recommended the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to arrange 27 additional technical staff as agreed to ensure the effecient operation of provided equipment. Accordingly, the equipment is expected to finish installation before July 2023, and the human resource training phase will begin in November 2023. According to JICA, there are currently at least 15 vacancies open at the RETAQ Center.

Furthermore, JICA will support Vietnam in training and promoting the love of agriculture among youths in rural areas. Vietnamese agricultural trainees visiting Japan will be provided with excellent working and development conditions, allowing them to share their experiences and knowledge to advance the agricultural sector in Vietnam.

JICA will promote investment in the smart cold chain logistics project among its businesses and private corporations that specialize in raw materials at the city level and in major seaports.

During his visit to Gunma province, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam and the delegation  worked with Mr. Ichita Yamamoto, the Governor of Gunma province. The Deputy Minister suggested Gunma, which is the leading province in Japan in terms of Vietnamese laborers, to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in technology transfer and capacity building for human resource.

Conversely, the Governor of Gunma proposed both parties to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and labor in the field of silk floss.

At the meeting with the Vice President of Tokyo Out Sourcing Group on cooperation in vocational training in the agricultural sector, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam remarked that Japanese businesses have closely coordinated with various Vietnamese Institutes, universities and agencies under the Ministry.

Japanese businesses have also actively supported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam in human resource training. Both parties signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation in training high-quality agricultural human resources. 

The Deputy Minister proposes Tokyo Out Sourcing Group to utilize its strengths in food processing, electronics, digital technology, etc. to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam in high-quality human resource training projects.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam witnessed the signing ceremony of multiple Memorandums of Understanding including those between the National Agricultural Extension Center, Tokyo Out Sourcing Group and Hai Phong Investment, Trade and Construction One Member Co., Ltd; Dong Bac Agriculture and Forestry University, Tokyo Out Sourcing Group and Hai Phong Investment, Trade and Construction One Member Co., Ltd; Vietnam College of Technology, KT&TS, Tokyo Out Sourcing Group and Hai Phong Investment, Trade and Construction One Member Co., Ltd.

Vietnam and Japan leaders also witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding awarding ceremony between Hanoi College of Electromechanics, Tokyo Out Sourcing Group and Hai Phong Investment, Trade and Construction One Member Co., Ltd; College of Food Industry, Tokyo Out Sourcing Group and Hai Phong Investment, Trade and Construction One Member Co., Ltd.