Can Tho, New Zealand step up agricultural cooperation

Can Tho (VNA) – New Zealand investors want to develop strategic relations with Can Tho city - an economic hub in the Mekong Delta region that has produced a wide range of high-quality agricultural products, said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Wendy Matthews.

A clean vegetable cultivation model in Can Tho city (Photo: VNA)

At a working session with the city People’s Committee on June 24, the New Zealand diplomat recommended Can Tho to cooperate with the New Zealand Institute of Agriculture and Horticultural Science Inc (NZIAHS) to remove bottlenecks in the city’s agricultural development, given local exports have been hampered by poor post-harvest technologies.

She said that the NZIAHS, a prestigious research centre, will send agricultural experts to Can Tho city, helping it figure out possible measures in food safety, climate change response, improvement of soil quality, market connectivity, promotion of forestry product value, and better aquaculture.

The centre will support the city to develop high-tech agriculture while encouraging the private sector’s engagement to create more opportunities for the impoverished in both rural and urban areas to get access to advanced farming techniques.

She hoped that Can Tho city and the NZIAHS will find out new incentives for the local agricultural development like improving quality of farm produce, protecting land resources, and ensuring food safety and hygiene.

Also, she suggested the local authority work with the New Zealand Embassy to carry out programmes connecting agricultural businesses and farmers in Can Tho with New Zealand and other foreign partners, explaining this as a good chance for local firms to use the world’s advanced technologies in increasing competitive edge for local staples.

Particularly, she advised the city to build policies to lure investors who exercise their corporate responsibility for sustainable development through improving infrastructure facilities, and local human resources, among others.

She took the occasion to invite Can Tho city to attend Fieldays, the largest agribusiness event in New Zealand, saying it will help the locality introduce its farm produce while exchanging information about modern technologies and machines in cultivation.

For his part, Chairman of the city People’s Committee Le Quang Manh committed to bettering the business climate, as well as facilitating New Zealand investment in the locality.

He wished that the New Zealand Embassy will help connect the city with New Zealand partners, and create opportunities for the city to introduce its potential and strengths to the investors, thus making the city become a gateway for New Zealand to enhance shipments to the Mekong Delta.