Guinea seeks to learn from Vietnam's agricultural experience

On the morning of October 5, during General Secretary and President To Lam’s high-level visit to the 19th Francophone Summit, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Le Minh Hoan, met with Guinea’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ismael Nabe.

“We see food security as a top priority, not only within our borders but also regionally and globally,” Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized.

Vietnam has successfully hosted several important international conferences that have been well-received by the global community. A notable example is the 4th Global Conference held in April 2023, themed "The Transformation We Need". Additionally, the "Strategic Vision for South-South Cooperation to Ensure Food Security and Sustainable Development for Africa" policy dialogue was part of the Vietnam - Hau Giang International Rice Festival 2023.

Vietnam is also advancing its sustainable development project to cultivate one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta, targeting completion by 2030.

This project introduces a new production model aligned with global trends in both production and consumption, fostering a transformative shift in agricultural practices in the Mekong Delta, a region increasingly affected by rapid and unpredictable climate change. It also aims to raise incomes and living standards for rice farmers and businesses while supporting Vietnam's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Minister Ismael Nabe expressed his hope that Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would propose some cooperation mechanisms, which he could then present to his colleagues in Guinea’s agricultural sector. Additionally, the Guinean representative emphasized the importance of both countries considering the signing of documents that would establish a legal framework to further promote agricultural development in Africa.

Moreover, Guinea is prepared to seek financial backing from third-party sources, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, to ensure the funding necessary for future agricultural cooperation projects.

In discussions with Guinea, Minister Le Minh Hoan explained that Vietnam could collaborate with African nations in various ways, such as by coordinating the development of projects on rice and food crop cultivation; supplying experts, agricultural materials, fertilizers, pesticides, and post-harvest solutions; and providing detailed guidance and support to ensure stable productivity over time. Furthermore, Vietnam can assist in the preparation of project proposals and help secure third-party funding.

Between 2008 and 2016, the tripartite cooperation among Vietnam, South Africa, and Guinea successfully implemented the project “Improving Rice and Vegetable Production in Guinea,” funded by South Africa with a budget of 45 million USD.

During the six-year project, Vietnam sent 15 agricultural experts to eight regions of Guinea, where they transferred advanced techniques in seed production, crop management, and intensive rice and vegetable farming. As a result, Guinea’s agricultural productivity, output, and capacity significantly improved through demonstration models, training, and capacity-building initiatives for local experts and input providers in agricultural production.