As an annual meeting of the “Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam (PSAV) member partners hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the event reviewed PSAV partners in 2010-2016 and discussed plans for agricultural partnership development with the involvement of Vietnam’s private sector. 

 

Grahame Dixie, Executive Director of Grow Asia in Vietnam, said the meeting offered an opportunity for participants to propose new initiatives and effective methods, opening a new chapter of PPP development in Vietnam. 

 

Grow Asia wants to provide support to Vietnamese partners, he stressed, adding that the firm hopes to cooperate with Vietnam to help the country further expand markets for its agricultural products.

 

Experts at the meeting mentioned difficulties facing Vietnam in promoting links between domestic agricultural enterprises and those abroad because the PPP model for agriculture is only a pilot in Vietnam.

 

According to MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong, agricultural restructuring targeting high-added value must be based on science, technology, administration, and assistance from big groups and financial institutions. 

 

The forum provided a venue to listen to investors from PSAV’s consultation groups on the implementation of the PPP model and relevant policies, thus improving the MARD’s management and Vietnam’s policies in PPP.

 

Formed in 2010 by the MARD and Nestle Vietnam, the PSAV comprises over 60 partners from global and local companies, provincial authorities, and Vietnam’s research institutes, and international and non-governmental organisations. It focuses on six crops, agri-finance and agrochemicals.