Can Tho (VNA) – TheMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Embassy of theNetherlands in Vietnam held a consultation workshop in the Mekong Delta city ofCan Tho on December 2 to discuss the Mekong Delta Agricultural TransformationProgramme.

Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head ofthe MARD’s Department of International Cooperation, said the Netherlands isstrong in agriculture with its farm produce export ranking second globally.

The Netherlands is Vietnam’slargest partner in the European Union with a trade revenue of 7.8 billion USD, andalso the largest European investor with a total registered capital of nearly 10billion USD.

In face of the climate changechallenges, Vietnam wants to learn from the Netherlands’ experience in thesustainable development of the Mekong Delta, including planning, governance,development strategy building, and especially building a key value chain forthe region, he said.

Willem Schoustra, AgricultureCounsellor from the embassy, said agricultural transformation is part of ResolutionNo.120/NQ-CP on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in adaptation toclimate change based on the Mekong Delta Plan – a joint effort between the twocountries.

He said the Netherlands couldtransfer knowledge to Vietnam about water resources management and agriculturebusiness.

Earlier on April 9, amemorandum of understanding on the Netherlands – Vietnam cooperation was signedto carry out the Mekong Delta Agricultural Transformation Programme reached bythe two Prime Ministers, marking the second stage of strategic and long-termpartnership on water resources management and agriculture between the twonations./.