Denmark's experience in promoting sustainable agriculture

The seminar and business networking event "Danish experiences and solutions in sustainable agri-food production" was conducted in Hanoi on August 17.

Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA), a division of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, and the Danish Agriculture & Food Council co-hosted the event. It aims to provide a forum where policymakers, officials, and entrepreneurs from Denmark and Vietnam may exchange expertise, knowledge, and information.

 According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, Vietnam is one of the countries with which Denmark has created a strategic partnership in the area of food safety.  In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a strategic relationship in the area of food safety and sustainable agricultural production.

Through this MOU, the two parties have produced several cooperation programs, initiatives, and technical support in the area of food safety, the most notable of which is the Strategic Sector Cooperation program on food safety in the pork value chain between Vietnam and Denmark (SSC Project).

According to the head of Denmark's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, economic and commercial ties between Denmark and Vietnam have grown substantially during the last several years. There are around 135 Danish enterprises with offices in Vietnam. Numerous Danish enterprises can meet Vietnam's growing demands in fields such as agriculture, food safety, water, clean energy, waste management, etc. due to their extraordinary abilities.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which went into force in 2020, has provided Vietnam and Denmark with several chances for trade and investment collaboration. Therefore, the two parties may continue to exploit their untapped potentials and capabilities in the fields of agriculture and food.

The seminar was identified by the Deputy Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development as one of the most significant programs for the agriculture and rural development sector. State agencies and Vietnamese businesses may learn from and utilize their Danish partners' shared experiences to establish value chains, grow responsibly, and progress toward smart and sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Carsteb Baltzer Rode, Chargé d'Affaires of the Danish Embassy, said that Vietnam is one of the Southeast Asian nations with whom Denmark is interested in establishing a cooperative relationship. Throughout the years, Denmark has supported several industries in Vietnam, including agriculture, environment, irrigation, and energy, among others.

The Danish Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires stated, "With the participation of 13 Danish businesses at the conference, we hope to be able to share experiences and connect with the Vietnamese side to build many agricultural projects and offer solutions for sustainable agricultural development, for our mutual benefit."

In September 2013, Vietnam and Denmark established a comprehensive partnership. According to the opinion of the Danish embassy's representative, the framework also includes opportunities for expanding agricultural cooperation between the two nations. The increased number of Danish enterprises in Vietnam compared to other countries in the area demonstrates the potential for agricultural and food-related collaboration between the two nations.

Danish and Vietnamese speakers also gave presentations at the seminar, including Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) on Food Safety between Denmark and Vietnam, Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam, Governmental support to export from the green and sustainable food cluster in Denmark, and Danish agriculture and food production: Producing more with less.

In addition, the Danish business delegation got the opportunity to introduce their firms to the Vietnamese side as well as the fields and aspirations for future collaboration with Vietnamese businesses.

Over the years, Danish agri-food industries have consistently invested in innovative production equipment and solutions to increase output, enhance product quality, and reduce water and energy use.

The development of agriculture based on organic agriculture is the key to maintaining sustainable production and export, according to the experiences of Denish enterprises. Businesses in Vietnam can replicate the success of their Danish counterparts by increasing their output while simultaneously reducing their emissions if they invest further in new technology, maintain open communication, and stay abreast of industry developments.