MAE welcomes DLG’s initiative to promote agricultural mechanization

On July 7, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Hung paid a courtesy visit to a delegation from the German Agricultural Society (DLG), led by Mr. Erik Guttulsröd, Deputy Managing Director of DLG Global. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Michael Kratz, Counselor for Economic and Climate Foreign Policy at the German Embassy in Viet Nam.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung highly appreciated DLG's role as one of Germany's and Europe's leading agricultural organizations, with extensive experience in connecting businesses, promoting innovation, facilitating technology transfer, and advancing modern agricultural solutions worldwide.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged the practical outcomes of the cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and DLG in recent years, particularly the successful co-organization of AGRITECHNICA ASIA Live 2022 in Can Tho and AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HortEx 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. Both events have served as important platforms for showcasing advanced technologies, fostering business networking, promoting agricultural mechanization, and facilitating the transfer of modern production solutions.

According to Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung, “The programmes jointly organized with DLG are not merely trade exhibitions; they also contribute to accelerating digital transformation, promoting green agriculture, and advancing sustainable growth.” He noted that these initiatives are fully aligned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's strategic priorities of enhancing productivity, quality, value addition, and the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Looking ahead, the Deputy Minister proposed strengthening cooperation through AGRIFUTURE 2026, which will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and DLG in Hanoi. The conference is expected to serve as a key platform for policy dialogue, business networking, and the promotion of agricultural cooperation among Viet Nam, Germany, and ASEAN countries.

The Deputy Minister also welcomed DLG's initiative to support the establishment of a Mechanization Center for the Mekong Delta. He described the proposal as well aligned with Viet Nam's agricultural modernization agenda, contributing to more integrated mechanization and greater value addition across the rice sector.

Mr. Erik Guttulsröd said that DLG is a non-profit organization founded in 1885 with the mission of advancing science and technology in the agriculture and food sectors worldwide. “Our focus is on fostering connections, sharing knowledge, developing standards, and providing a platform for dialogue among policymakers, the scientific community, and the private sector,” he said.

In selecting Viet Nam to host AGRIFUTURE 2026, DLG proposed that the conference focus on key themes such as climate-resilient agriculture, soil health, agricultural mechanization, and solutions for developing major agricultural value chains, including rice and coffee.

Mr. Erik Guttulsröd noted that DLG has developed a wide range of models and approaches to translate innovation into practical agricultural applications, creating tangible benefits for businesses, farmers, and policymakers alike. He affirmed DLG's readiness to work with Viet Nam in advancing mechanization initiatives based on a mutually beneficial partnership.

In response, Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung encouraged DLG to work closely with the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development to explore solutions for accelerating agricultural mechanization while promoting the role of the private sector and innovation in line with the Party's and the Government's development orientations. He also emphasized the importance of communication and knowledge sharing to disseminate technological innovations and mechanization achievements to local authorities and farming communities.

Building on the success of AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2025, the two sides also agreed to continue their cooperation in organizing AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2027, scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from 17–19 March 2027. The exhibition will showcase advanced agricultural technologies while promoting investment, trade linkages, and innovation across the agricultural sector.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment highly values DLG's contributions to fostering innovation, advancing agricultural mechanization, and promoting sustainable agricultural development in Viet Nam and the region,” Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung reaffirmed.