Vietnam and Korea cooperate to promote smart and sustainable agriculture

On July 2, as part of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Korea, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam met with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA).

Comprehensive cooperation in the field of agriculture

Over more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Korea have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marked by significant developments in various fields such as trade, investment, culture, education, and notably, agriculture and rural development.

On behalf of the MARD, Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed gratitude to Ms. Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea (MAFRA), for her continuous support and interest in cooperation with Vietnam.

Between 2010 and 2023, the Korean government supported Vietnam in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries through numerous impactful technical cooperation projects that directly benefited Vietnamese communities.

“Projects on technology transfer, improving plant varieties, and enhancing productivity and value chain efficiency have contributed to the sustainable and safe restructuring of Vietnam’s agricultural sector. Notably, high-tech projects and applications in agricultural production, including animal husbandry, cultivation, and aquaculture, have been particularly significant,” Minister Le Minh Hoan informed.

The Minister also expressed his admiration for the spirit of Saemaul Undong (Korea’s New Village Movement), which has transformed Korea from a post-war recovery country to a developed economy today.

Responding to the Minister, Ms. Song Miryung shared, “The spirit of Saemaul Undong emphasizes autonomy and the empowerment of farmers, with the Korean Government playing a role in supporting and encouraging farmers to voluntarily participate. However, Korea is currently facing a labor shortage in rural areas and requires seasonal workers from Vietnam.”

Both Vietnam and Korea are confronting challenges posed by climate change. Along with this, the shortage of labor resources has led both countries to agree that the development of smart agriculture and the reduction of emissions is an inevitable direction.

Commitment to expanding bilateral agricultural markets

Senior leaders of both countries have agreed to increase trade turnover between Vietnam and Korea, aiming for $100 billion by 2025 and $150 billion by 2030.

To promote trade in agricultural products where each country has strengths, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the Korean side to direct their specialized agencies to collaborate with the Ministry’s specialized agencies to create favorable conditions for trading agricultural products.

Accordingly, the two sides agreed to soon complete procedures for announcing the export of Korean melons and Vietnamese grapefruits in 2024. They will also positively consider Vietnam’s passion fruit and lychees, as well as Korean Unshu tangerines and kiwi, to open the market to animal-origin products.

Minister Le Minh Hoan also proposed that the Korean side discuss with the Korean Government and relevant ministries the removal of the current quota on shrimp from Vietnam. This would allow Korean consumers greater access to Vietnamese shrimp at better prices and ensure fair competition for Vietnamese shrimp against products from other countries.

The two sides also agreed to establish a Vietnam - Korea Agriculture Working Group within the Vietnam - Korea Intergovernmental Committee framework. 

Additionally, they plan to increase information exchange and coordinate efforts to improve the business environment to attract Korean investors to Vietnam in the field of Agriculture and Rural Development. Priority will be given to attracting investment in areas where Korea excels, such as high-tech agriculture, seed technology, vaccines, processing, and central hubs supporting the agricultural supply chain.

Listening to Vietnam's proposals, MAFRA welcomed the idea of organizing experience exchange forums, seminars, and fairs to promote trade in agricultural products and connect the two countries' businesses. The Korean Minister stated, “Organizing the annual Agricultural Business Connection Forum will elevate the status and level of agricultural cooperation in line with the overall orientations of Vietnam - Korea cooperation.”

MAFRA will regularly inform the Vietnamese side of Korean food limits and standards regulations, guiding businesses in implementing appropriate control measures.

Both sides will increase the number of technical assistance projects for Vietnam. Specifically, they will more actively support Vietnam's New Rural Construction Programs, focusing on improving the capacity of rural communities, linking value chains, and combining tourism with agricultural tourism.

To develop ecological agriculture and modern rural areas, Vietnam will research building a green agricultural product supply chain, including the model of a Technical Service Center and a Modern Agricultural Wholesale Market based on Korean experience. Additionally, they will enhance technology transfer, training, capacity building, and support in developing high-tech agricultural models, smart agriculture, and sustainable food systems.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will coordinate with MAFRA to effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries on cooperation in the agricultural sector, contributing to sustainable development and participation in the global value chain.