Viet Nam - South Korea: Connecting technology for sustainable agricultural development

On November 26, the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), in collaboration with the Korea Agency of Agricultural Technology Promotion (KOAT), organized the “Viet Nam - South Korea Agricultural Technology Introduction, Trade Promotion, and Connection Seminar 2025”.

Delivering the opening speech at the seminar, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, Director of VAAS, emphasized that South Korea is an important market for many of Viet Nam's key commodities, such as seafood, fruits, pepper, coffee, rice, and wood products. Advanced agricultural products, supplies, farming equipment, and technologies from South Korea are increasingly attracting the interest of Vietnamese businesses and farmers.

The two countries have implemented numerous cooperation programs in research, variety development, post-harvest technology, mechanization, smart agriculture, and biotechnology, contributing to improving the productivity, quality, and sustainability of Vietnamese agriculture.

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"This seminar focuses on exchanging experiences between scientists and research institutes in Viet Nam and Korean agricultural agencies and businesses; and sharing practical testing results in Vietnam for several agricultural supply products from South Korea. New research technologies and products such as biological preparations for pest and disease control, microorganisms for environmental treatment, organic and microbial fertilizers, automated irrigation systems, and materials for net houses and greenhouses will be introduced to Vietnamese businesses.

In addition, information regarding the conditions for the export and import of agricultural technologies, supplies, and products between the two countries will also be discussed in detail to promote trade and expand cooperation between the parties," Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son stated.

According to Mr. Ko Bok Nam, Director of KOAT, since 2020, VAAS and the Rural Development Administration of Korea (RDA) have collaborated to build pilot greenhouses following the Smart Farm model. Based on this cooperation foundation, RDA has not only focused on smart agricultural technology but also implemented the Testbed Project in Vietnam to verify the effectiveness of Korean agricultural equipment. The project is being carried out with the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute (FAVRI) and the National Center for Fertilizer Testing (NCFT), opening up opportunities for deeper cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural sector.

Mr. Ko Bok Nam expressed hope that through this seminar, both sides will share the results achieved and jointly find new directions for cooperation, aiming towards sustainable development.

Mr. Nguyen Quy Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Plant Production and Protection, affirmed that the seminar is preparation for a new development phase for Vietnamese agriculture - one where science, technology, and international cooperation become the central drivers.

"With the active participation of the Ministry, relevant agencies, affiliated units, research institutions, as well as businesses, the scientific community, and investors from both countries, I believe we will identify priority areas for technology connection such as plant varieties; agricultural supplies (organic - microbial fertilizers, biological plant protection products, processing preparations); smart agriculture; post-harvest, processing, and preservation technology; and agricultural circular economy.

Simultaneously, this will open up new trade opportunities for key agricultural products and suggest long-term cooperation initiatives on human resource training, joint research, and the establishment of Viet Nam - South Korea affiliated laboratories and innovation centers," Mr. Duong stated.

Deputy Director Duong proposed that delegates, experts, and businesses share frankly and exchange openly, focusing on practical issues, technologies, models, and projects that can be implemented immediately or in the near future.

At the seminar, 12 Korean businesses introduced advanced agricultural technologies and products, including fertilizers and plant protection products, which are suitable for the practical needs of Vietnamese businesses, cooperatives, and localities. The event also included the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) and Bioplan Co., Ltd.; Hai Anh Trading Joint Stock Company, and Hyunnong Co., Ltd.