CIRAD celebrates partnership with the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam

Representing MARD, Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam welcomed the CEO of Cirad, Ms. Elisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin, to the ministry's headquarters. This collaboration marks the continuation of their long-standing partnership in agricultural research and innovation, ensuring a bilateral commitment to address regional and global challenges with combined expertise and shared goals.

A Vietnamese-french friendship for agricultural innovation

In recent years, MARD has actively spearheaded the integration of global agricultural advancements into Vietnam, sharing local achievements internationally and guiding local entities towards international standards. Opening the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam emphasized Vietnam's valued friendship and cooperation with France, especially in agricultural research, science, technology, and policies aimed at sustainable production and poverty alleviation. Ms. Claverie de Saint Martin expressed gratitude for the trust shown by the Ministry and conveyed hope for a new cooperative agreement to strengthen future partnerships.

Significant projects for animal health, strategic crops, and food security

Since the 90s, CIRAD has collaborated closely with Vietnamese institutions to play a pivotal role in agricultural research, capacity building, and fostering key interdisciplinary platforms. With a rich history of flagship projects such as the One Health Poultry Hub, the international Rethinking Of Antimicrobial Decision-systems in the Management of Animal Production (ROADMAP) project, the Interventions to decrease CRE Colonization and Transmission between hospitals, households, communities and domesticated animals (I-CRECT) initiative, and Preventing ZOonotic Disease Emergence (PREZODE), among many others, CIRAD has driven significant advancements in the fields of animal welfare, value chain for strategic crops, food safety, as well as addressed topical issues, such as epidemic preventive measures and managing ecological concerns in the region. Despite pandemic-related challenges in early 2022, CIRAD maintained its course and achieved significant scientific contributions, publishing numerous scientific articles and fostering educational advances, including master's and doctorate-level training, specialized classes, and broad agricultural training. 

Developing a modern, sustainable, and competitive agricultural sector

Deputy Minister Trần Thanh Nam commended CIRAD's contributions to Vietnam's agricultural advancements, including various successful projects and training initiatives. He emphasized the need for both parties to enhance collaboration to support Vietnam's sustainable agriculture and rural development strategy in the period of 2021-2030, with a long-term vision spanning to 2050. This strategy strives to build a modern, sustainable, competitive agricultural sector, addressing national food security, environmental protection, and climate change challenges. In response, Ms. Claverie de Saint Martin expressed gratitude for the insights shared and assured that CIRAD will prioritize collaboration areas to solidify the partnership.

The renewed memorandum of understanding will be in effect for five years, from 2023 to 2027

The agreement seeks to boost research, technology dissemination, and human resource development, with an emphasis on animal and plant health, agroecological transition, agricultural markets, and food systems, among others. Furthermore, the MoU opens the door for a joint journey of learning and innovating through capacity building and mutual knowledge exchange. Vietnam's dynamic agricultural sector and CIRAD's global perspective can lead to innovative solutions for local and international challenges. The Ministry underscored the significance of this collaboration in furthering Vietnam's goals to ensure food security, adapt to climate change, reduce poverty, and develop a sustainable economy. 

The MoU signifies a deepening of agricultural collaboration between Vietnam and CIRAD. With this renewed partnership, CIRAD reaffirms its commitment to supporting Vietnam's ambitions for a sustainable and competitive agricultural future. Numerous joint research projects, training programs, and other collaborative initiatives are set to be launched under this Memorandum of Understanding in the coming years.