Vietnam's Agricultural Biodiversity Appreciated

A seminar on "Emerging Trends on Food and Agriculture" co-sponsored by the Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE),Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), and the Vietnam Gardening Association (VACVINA) was held in Hanoi, Vietnam to bring to focus the appreciation and conservation of agricultural biodiversity.  Topics discussed were on agricultural biodiversity and farmers, agricultural biodiversity and climate change, and gene and nano technologies. This is the second seminar on the topic, the first one was held in Bhutan. Vietnam and Bhutan are included in the world centers for biodiversity, especially agricultural biodiversity, where farmers play important role in ensuring seed supply. The seminar also emphasized the importance of farmers understanding the new technologies, its applications and implications in Asia.

Vietnamese famers’ active role in seed supply is very significant in the Mekong Delta provinces of Can Tho and An Giang where local peasants produced rice seeds worth 1.2 million USD in 2006 - a great contribution to the country’s rice production, helping ensure the country's  food security and exports.  VAAS deputy director Vu Manh Hai said "Vietnam is facing many problems in agricultural development, food security and hygiene posed by the impacts of scientific advances, climate change, land erosion and other environmental issues. Vietnam is a predominantly agriculture-based nation, with more than 70 percent of its population relying on agricultural production.  With the help of new technologies, such as biotechnology, the country has emerged as one of the world’s leading exporters of agricultural products, including rice, rubber, pepper, and cashew nuts".

For details, contact Hien Le of  the  Vietnam BIC at hientttm@yahoo.com