FAO expresses confidence in the transformation of Vietnam's food system

A conference titled "Implementing the National Action Plan to transform the Food System towards transparency, responsibility, and sustainability in Vietnam" was organized by the of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 10.

Ambassadors from various countries and representatives of international organizations asserted the necessity of the conference to update the Ministry's orientations and goals in building a sustainable food system. Experts commended Vietnam's achievements in food production, particularly with a new record of nearly $4 billion in rice export revenue in the first ten months of 2023. The substantial progress in Vietnam's agricultural and food industry over the past three decades has been acknowledged by many international stakeholders, contributing not only to the country's growth but also to ensuring market trade for essential production materials.

Despite the vital role of agriculture in contributing 12% to Vietnam's GDP in 2022, the transformation of the agricultural system encounters challenges due to small-scale, fragmented production, the impacts of climate change, and market fluctuations. Additionally, unscientific agricultural practices have had adverse effects on the ecosystem, leading to the wastage of natural resources and the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, negatively impacting water and soil health.

Minister Le Minh Hoan addressed the conference, stating, "The Government of Vietnam is deeply aware of the necessity for close coordination between ministries and actors in the Food Process System to create sustainable and far-reaching changes across the entire system." In the near future, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to propose to the Prime Minister the establishment of a Partnership group to transform the food processing system and specialized technical working groups. This core team will collaborate with ministries, specialized agencies, and localities to implement the Action Plan and mobilize technical and financial support from partners.

The Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) proposed the organizational structure of the partnership group, co-chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Chaired and coordinated by ministries, technical working groups are expected to cover ecological agriculture, nutrition and diversification of local products, food loss and waste, responsible consumption, policies, and institutions.

Vietnam places a high priority on green transformation, the development of agricultural infrastructure, the integration of innovation, updating the national nutritional balance sheet, and promoting smart consumption. The conference highlighted the significance of multilateral and multi-sectoral cooperation to garner consensus and action from the international and domestic communities, contributing to ensuring global food security.

Countries such as France and Ireland and international organizations expressed readiness to collaborate with the Vietnamese government in implementing the National Action Plan. Delegates welcomed the Ministry's initiative to establish a partnership group to transform the food production system and expressed hope for the formulation of comprehensive goals soon. They emphasized that strengthening partnerships is crucial for transforming the food security system, and cross-sectoral and cross-regional collaboration will aid in addressing the complex challenges related to the food system.

Rémi Nono Womdim, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Vietnam (FAO), expressed confidence in Vietnam's strong transformation, stating, "Transforming the food production system requires a scientific and methodical approach. I have faith in Vietnam's strong transformation, that we will unite, promote existing advantages, and support what is lacking, thereby achieving the goal of sustainable development. Hopefully, Vietnam will become a pioneering country in the region."

Quoting FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, Womdim emphasized the urgency of action: "Now we have to act. We need to transform our agri-food systems to provide food security and better nutrition for all, be economically sustainable, inclusive, and have a positive effect on the climate and the environment." In the pursuit of implementing the National Action Plan on Food System Transformation, international cooperation will focus on three pillars: Science, innovation, and data; policies, strategies, and programs related to climate, food, nutrition, water, land, biodiversity, and energy; and mobilizing necessary financial resources. Alongside scientific technology, partners aim to build a food security system based on indigenous knowledge and production traditions.