Vietnam and Cuba exchange policies on agriculture and food cooperation

On September 19 morning, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien receives and works with Ms. Ana María Machado, Vice President of the Cuban National Assembly. ​This meeting is especially important in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of Leader Fidel Castro Ruz’s visit to the Liberation Zone of Southern Vietnam.

In recent years, Vietnam - Cuba cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fisheries has received attention from the two countries’ leaders. This cooperation contributes to the mutual goal of ensuring food security. Therefore, the Cuban National Assembly delegation wishes to learn more about Vietnam’s policies on agricultural and food issues.

On September 27, 2022, the Ministers of Agriculture of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agriculture and Food Cooperation during the official visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of Cuba. The MoU not only marks a turning point in the bilateral relationship, but also serves as the foundation for Vietnam’s projects on agricultural support in Cuba.

Thereby, the projects that MARD implemented in Cuba have been practical, compliant with regulations, and contribute to ensuring food security. As a result, rice, corn, bean, and coffee projects have improved the quality of seeds and crops in Cuba, increased productivity, contributed to a stable supply of food and increased protein ratio.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien proposed that the Cuban delegation consider and research cooperation with Vietnam in fisheries. Fish farming, raising and chain processing will create opportunities for Vietnamese joint ventures to invest in Cuba.

“Fisheries is an area where Vietnam is very confident, with a team of good fishermen and many boats. We believe that we are capable of helping Cuba form a chain of seafood production, processing and export. Especially, production and processing fishmeal in Cuba can then be exported to Vietnam for use as animal feed,” the Deputy Minister says.

As for the Cuban National Assembly delegation, Vice President Ana María Machado thanks MARD for supporting science, technology, and equipment, especially as climate change greatly affects food security in Cuba.

Ms. Ana Machado shared: “Cuban agriculture is facing difficulties in terms of supply of fertilizers and pesticides; shortage of animal feed; limitations on technological application in farming. Therefore, the Cuban government highly appreciates the professional support of MARD in recent years.

Food security is one of the main goals of the Cuban National Assembly delegation’s visit to Vietnam. We consider the agricultural sector not only a strategic factor in Cuba’s economic development but also helps the friendship between the two countries become increasingly closer and more robust.”

Upon the initial results of exchanging science, technology, and various models in farming and animal husbandry, the Cuban leaders wish to promote economic cooperation with Vietnam. In particular, Cuba welcomes the Vietnamese business delegation to visit and seek investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Also attending the meeting, Cuban Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Vietnam, Mr Orlando Hernández Guillén, highly appreciates MARD’s support in rice production.

“Coordination projects have achieved positive results after many years of exchange and technical transfer. At the same time, Cuba’s agriculture has also learned a lot from Vietnam. Therefore, now is a good time for Vietnamese businesses to accompany your Government to further cooperate in agricultural production in Cuba. We have prepared many distinct projects for Vietnam, hoping to introduce investment opportunities in the agricultural sector,” the Ambassador says.

Receiving the warm welcome of the Cuban delegation, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien is pleased to announce the MARD’s plan to visit Cuba in the near future. This visit aims to inspect the implementation sites of rice, aquaculture and agricultural products and development of corn export. At the same time, MARD leaders hope to continue cooperating with Cuba in the production and procession of fisheries, agricultural products, livestock and animal feed.

MARD is submitting to the Vietnamese Government for approval of the content and permission to sign Appendix II in the Framework Agreement between Vietnam and Cuba on cooperation in developing rice production in Cuba for the period 2018-2022, thereby extending the rice project implementation period by two years, from 2019-2023 to 2019-2025.