Mechanization in agriculture: Focal point of Vietnam-Germany agricultural ties

On May 17, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam had a meeting and working session with the German Agricultural Society (DLG) to discuss strengthening cooperation in agricultural mechanization, food safety, and sustainable development. The Vietnamese delegation was received by Mr. Jens Kremer, Managing Director of DLG Markets.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam expressed his appreciation for the growing collaboration between Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and DLG over the past years. He especially highlighted DLG's initiative to organize AGRITECHNICA ASIA every two years in Vietnam, which is an important platform for advancing agricultural innovation and international cooperation.

“AGRITECHNICA ASIA Vietnam 2025 marks the first time DLG brings its globally recognized expertise in agricultural technology and innovation directly to Vietnam,” said Deputy Minister Nam. “The solutions showcased at this exhibition will not only be well-suited to our domestic agricultural sector but will also help address major challenges faced by Vietnamese farmers. These include improving productivity, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and gaining access to cutting-edge technologies and machinery.”

Regarding mechanization, Vietnam aims to become one of the world’s leading agricultural nations. As part of this vision, the country is implementing the Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High Quality and Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong River Delta By 2030 program  

In this context, Vietnam is particularly interested in identifying and adopting advanced agricultural machinery and technologies that are suitable for its production conditions. Mr. Nam stressed the importance of enhancing the system for agricultural machinery inspection and certification, and of building the capacity of local experts, technicians, and farmers in the field of agricultural mechanization.

“We hope that DLG will continue to support Vietnamese enterprises in exploring Germany’s advanced agricultural transformation models and technological applications,” Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam stated. He expressed his expectation that DLG would share its expertise and provide vocational training in agricultural mechanization based on German standards, with a focus on green growth, sustainability, and climate change adaptation.

Regarding the potential establishment of a mechanization service center for agricultural production in the Mekong Delta, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment proposed that DLG cooperate in implementing pilot models that apply high-tech solutions in agricultural production. This would include organizing training programs and thematic workshops on advanced agricultural technologies, mechanization, and sustainable farming practices.

In addition, the Ministry proposed that DLG support the provision of equipment, the transfer of technology, and the joint training of human resources. These efforts would contribute significantly to promoting the modernization of agriculture in this key economic region.

To further strengthen cooperation, Vietnam proposes both sides consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on agricultural mechanization. The main areas of cooperation would include: promoting comprehensive mechanization across agricultural production; enhancing capacity building and vocational training in the field of mechanization; developing logistics systems; and facilitating digital transformation in agriculture.

In response to the proposals from the Vietnamese side, DLG agreed to organize a series of business-matching seminars between Vietnamese and German enterprises within the framework of AGRITECHNICA 2025, which will take place from November 9 to 15 in Hanover, Germany.

Mr. Jens Kremer, Managing Director of DLG Markets, affirmed that DLG possesses the technical expertise and capacity to support Vietnam in training human resources, improving agricultural productivity, and advancing mechanization under the "1 Million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice project".

In addition, DLG expressed its desire for Vietnam to join the Southeast Asian working group on rice cultivation, aiming to promote regional knowledge sharing and collaborative research. At the same time, DLG encouraged greater involvement of young farmers in the transition toward sustainable agriculture.

Agreeing with the above proposals, the Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that upcoming innovation forums in both Vietnam and Germany will serve as platforms for young talents to demonstrate their capabilities, thereby creating momentum for the younger generation to contribute to the development of a modern and sustainable agricultural sector in Vietnam.

Regarding the field of food safety, DLG is ready to provide comprehensive support across the entire value chain, from farms to businesses, including routine inspection procedures such as sampling, testing, and certification.

Mr. Jens Kremer proposed assessing the feasibility of integrating this process in Vietnam in order to meet the requirements for exporting agricultural products to the European Union market.