Proposing to construct plant producing sweet potato Shochu and Sake in Kontum

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan met with officials of Inoue Calcium Cooperation (ICC) and Thanh Phat Co., Ltd. on August 10.

Takeshi Inoue, Chief Executive Office of ICC, reported that the unit's primary plant protection product was IC Bordeaux, which efficiently prevents fungus and bacteria on vegetables. The product is widely utilized in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Ghana, and its usefulness for organic agricultural production is well recognized. Thanh Phat Co., Ltd. registers and distributes the product on the Vietnamese market.

In 2016, with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, ICC implemented the IC Bordeaux project in Vietnam in order to create safe agricultural products using natural-root ingredients.

The ICC representative stated that the ICC and Thanh Phat had successfully planted Dr. Shimura's grape varietals in Binh Thuan via cooperation. Currently, the two parties are looking forward to continuing their partnership in order to introduce Japanese specialty fruits such as Sun mango, Akatsuki peach, and cantaloupe for trial planting in Vietnam. 

ICC also highlighted the group's Sochu plant and suggested a partnership with Vietnam to invest in the construction of a sweet potato Sochu and Sake wine production in Kontum province using Japanese technology.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Department of Crop Production, stated that the introduction of new types of fruits and plants is one of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's goals to restructure the agricultural sector. Thus, the Department is ready to assist Japanese partners with processes, seeds, and technical solutions.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan concluded that, for the IC Bordeaux, the ministry placed a high priority on agricultural extension efforts that instruct farmers on how to use the agent effectively and minimize negative impacts on plants and humans health.

According to the Minister, Vietnam welcomes Japanese investment in Kon Tum's agriculture industry. "Because of climate and soil conditions, Kon Tum in particular and the Central Highlands provinces have a huge potential for agricultural growth. We are focusing on the development of high-tech agriculture and circular agriculture in the areas, and I am hopeful that the projects will also help to alter the face of agriculture in this region", added the minister.

Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that the proposed investment project to construct a Shochu plant using Japanese technology in Kon Tum is a chance for Vietnamese agriculture to have access to Japanese technology and management method. The project is anticipated to create a new investment opportunity for international investors in Vietnam's agriculture industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has pledged its support for the corporation's decentralization and investment in specialties such as peach and mango kinds via its agencies, which will collaborate with areas to help the advancement.

The Minister tasked the Department of Plant Protection with working on and reviewing concerns linked to the sulfate plant protection agent in order to support and assist farmers in gaining access to pesticides that are safe and resistant to disease.

The ICC Takeshi Inoue Corporation has a 140-year history, is headquartered in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and specializes in trading agricultural goods, building materials, high-tech materials, and producing additives for high-quality rubber, medicinal, and food products.

The most important agricultural products of the ICC are Bordeaux grapes, wine made from the grapes. With the assistance of Thanh Phat Company, the group has implemented the distribution of pesticides in Vietnam, the product segment with the biggest market share of ICC in the Vietnamese market.