Hanoi (VNA) –Hanoi wants Israeli firms who always pioneer in applying science and technology inagricultural production to cooperate with and support the city in hi-techfarming.

The statement was made by Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee NguyenDoan Toan at a November 7 conference co-held by the committee and the IsraeliEmbassy in Vietnam as part of activities to celebrate the 25th anniversaryof bilateral diplomatic ties.

Israel is a country that possesses a modern and creative agriculturesector that has made significant achievements, given the country’s harshnatural conditions such as lack of fresh water and high desertification.

“Therefore, Hanoi wishes to receive Israel support in the field so that it cansoon fulfill its goal of becoming an agricultural production and consumptioncentre in the region as well as a leading farm produce exporter,” he said.

According to the municipal official, in recent years, the city has enhanced theapplication of technologies in producing, storing and processing agriculturalproducts, but the work has remained modest.

There are still few hi-tech agriculture projects in the city whilepost-harvest products haven’t been stored and processed in the way that meets localauthorities’ requirements, he noted.

The capital city’s authorities have planned to develop a local hi-techagriculture industry with selection of appropriate technologies for productionand processing so that the products are safe and high-quality.

At the same time, the citywill develop its supply chains, markets and commercial centres to become one ofthe leading distribution and export units in both domestic and internationalmarkets, he added.

At the event, representatives from Israeli businesses shared their experiencein hi-tech application in farming.

“We want to bring our vast know-how to Vietnam and help local producers achievemore quality products and find farther destination for exports,” said IlanLondon, Israel-based Decco’s international sales manager.

“We are thinking of mutual partnerships. Our know-how and technologies are veryunique and we have solutions and technologies for all kinds of fruit andvegetables,” Ilan said, adding that his firm is able to increase the addedvalues in Vietnam to make the market better.

Golan Argaman, CEO of Sheffa from Israel, said he is happy to make newpartnerships during the conference and he expects to find someone whounderstands the concept of his business and help local farmers cut costs andraise revenues.

“We look for cooperation between farmers, cooperatives and big farmingcompanies that can help each other build factories and manufacturers here inVietnam,” he said.

The potential of Vietnam is much larger than what has been achieved, accordingto Dov Avital, business innovation manager of dripping tech Metzer Group.

The Southeast Asian nation has many highland terrains that make it harder forfarmers to water the fields and preserve water from flowing elsewhere, Dovsaid.

“We bring the dripping technology to Vietnam to change the situation. We cankeep the environment clean, re-use the water and keep it for a long-timeproduction,” he said.-VNA