On April 5, H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, visited the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS). Welcoming the high-ranking Burundian delegation was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh, Vice President of VAAS.

The Burundian President emphasized that this visit to Vietnam aims to strengthen cooperation, including in agricultural science. Despite many challenges, Burundi still maintains strong potential for agricultural development, thanks to its fertile land and young workforce.

The President of Burundi was particularly impressed by the high-tech greenhouse covering 8,000 square meters, which is fully equipped with an automated system. Smart equipment ensures a consistent temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, as well as daily fertilization and nutrient delivery.

He also visited VAAS's traditional room. Established in 1952, VAAS has a long history and proud tradition.

One of the Academy's key research areas is plant breeding, with priority given to developing varieties adapted to climate change, resistant to major pests and diseases, short-term crops, and high-quality varieties to meet the increasingly diverse demands of the market.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye signed the guest book on the occasion of his visit to VAAS. In his message, the he congratulated the Academy on its achievements and impressive research outcomes. The experiences and scientific accomplishments of VAAS are areas in which Burundi is eager to learn and apply.

At the bilateral meeting, leaders of the Republic of Burundi shared their orientation toward modernizing and diversifying agricultural production, maintaining agricultural development potential thanks to fertile land and a young population. Investments in agricultural technology and infrastructure improvements can help the country maximize this potential.

“We have more than 90% of our population engaged in agricultural production, with coffee and tea being our two main export commodities, accounting for about 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings,” said H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh noted that Vietnam has experience in developing disease-resistant crop varieties in the context of climate change. The VAAS leader expressed hope that, with a long-term cooperation vision, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam will enter into a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Burundi.

The Burundian President’s visit to VAAS coincided with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Burundi diplomatic relations (April 16, 1975 - April 16, 2025). Previously, at the bilateral meeting on April 4, President Luong Cuong expressed his belief that this visit would open a new phase in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Authors: Quynh Chi - Kieu Chi - Thanh Thuy

Translated by Quynh Chi