Chile asks Vietnam to share experiences in supporting smallholder farmers

On November 9–12, 2024, President Luong Cuong will have an official working visit to the Republic of Chile. Within the framework of this visit, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had an official talk with Chile's Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Esteban Valenzuela Van Trek.

At the meeting, the two Ministers discussed the difficulties and challenges that the agricultural sector of the two countries in particular and the world in general are facing, such as impacts of climate change, unusual floods, and droughts. These problems adversely affect farmers, especially smallholder farmers.

The Chilean Minister emphasized that Vietnam is one of Chile's three priority countries for cooperation in Asia (along with India and Indonesia). The Chilean side asked Vietnam to share experiences in supporting smallholder farmers to strengthen their capacity, apply technology in developing organic agriculture and adapting to climate change, and access international markets.

The Chilean Minister also wishes to coordinate with Vietnamese technical agencies to complete market opening procedures to bring Chile's kiwi, blueberries, and meat products to the Vietnamese market soon.

Vietnam's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development highly appreciated the cooperative relationship between the two countries in general and the agricultural sector in particular. Chile was the first country in South America to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (on March 25, 1971) and is Vietnam's leading comprehensive partner in Latin America.

The two sides always support and help each other and regularly maintain delegation exchanges. Vietnam is willing to share experiences with Chile, especially in high-quality, low-emission rice production.

Minister Le Minh Hoan also affirmed that although both countries have developed agricultural production industries, their products are complementary and committed that the two countries will cooperate for the common benefit of the two countries' farmers, especially smallholder farmers. Vietnam requested Chile to consider and soon complete procedures to export processed meat products from Vietnam to the Chilean market.

Under the witness of President Luong Cuong and President of Chile, the two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation between the two Ministries to strengthen dialogue, promote the exchange of successful policies and experiences, and transfer technology, trade, training, and scientific and technical cooperation in the agricultural field between the two countries.

The MoU also aims to establish a cooperative framework to address global challenges, including climate change, and promote sustainable agricultural development and food security.

The two Ministers shared the same view that signing the MoU is the first step to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries, and the actual implementation of the MoU is very important. Therefore, the two Ministers agreed that the first meeting of the MoU Implementation Working Group will take place in Hanoi in 2025 to develop a detailed implementation plan. Chile's Minister of Agriculture accepted the invitation to come to Vietnam and chair this meeting together with Minister Le Minh Hoan.