Agricultural training becomes the focal point of Viet Nam - France cooperation

On October 17, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, organized a seminar titled “Viet Nam - France Cooperation on Strengthening Agricultural Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change in Viet Nam’s Agriculture Sector.”

The seminar gathered representatives from units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as well as agricultural universities, colleges, and enterprises. On the French side, participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), Expertise France, and agricultural enterprises cooperating with Viet Nam. The event was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation.

In his opening remarks at the seminar, Mr. Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, emphasized that France is not only a trade and investment partner but also a close collaborator with Viet Nam in agricultural training, scientific research, and technology transfer.

In recent years, the two sides have jointly implemented numerous meaningful projects, contributing to technology transfer, scientific cooperation, and human resource development within the framework of bilateral collaboration. These activities have not only delivered immediate benefits but also laid a long-term foundation for building a network linking management agencies, research institutes, universities, and enterprises of both countries.

“With a spirit of genuine and open cooperation and a shared vision for the future, today’s seminar will help concretize the commitments within the framework of the Viet Nam - France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while establishing a solid foundation for an agricultural education cooperation network, thereby contributing to the transformation toward a green, smart, and sustainable agriculture,” Mr. Mau stated.

Ms. Eva Dousset, Economic Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Economic Department of the French Embassy in Viet Nam, highly appreciated the achievements and development potential of Viet Nam’s agricultural sector in recent years.

She affirmed that cooperation in agricultural training is an important pillar of the bilateral relationship, especially as both countries are moving toward green growth and digital transformation in agriculture.

“Through this seminar, we will jointly assess the challenges and development potential of Viet Nam’s network of agricultural colleges, thereby opening new directions in training, research, and the application of science and technology,” Ms. Eva Dousset emphasized.

Building on that foundation, the two sides reached a consensus to develop the Viet Nam - France Agricultural Training Cooperation Program for the 2025-2027 period. The program will focus on key priority areas, including sustainable agriculture, food safety, green transition, and climate change adaptation. At the same time, it will promote the exchange of lecturers, students, and experts between the two countries, thereby establishing a close and enduring cooperation network among agricultural training institutions in both Viet Nam and France.

“The cooperation models between educational institutions and enterprises should be further expanded to create favorable conditions for students to undertake internships and gain practical experience at production facilities. This will help ensure that training is closely linked to the actual needs of the labor market. In addition, both countries should strengthen research collaboration and the transfer of educational technologies, particularly through the adoption of digital learning models, open educational resources, and modern, learner-centered teaching methods in agricultural education,” said Mr. Nguyen Xuan An, Deputy Director General of the Department of Personnel and Organization.

In the context of the ongoing green and digital transformation, cooperation with. France - a country renowned for having one of the most advanced agricultural education systems in Europe, with extensive expertise in practical training, applied research, and sustainable agricultural management - holds strategic significance for Vietnam. Through this partnership, Vietnam can gain valuable experience in developing agricultural value chains, mechanization, ecological farming models, and in enhancing the vocational skills and professional capacity of its young agricultural workforce, thereby contributing to the overall modernization and sustainability of the sector.