Viet Nam proposes developing eucalyptus and cassava raw-material zones in Angola

On December 11 (Viet Nam time), a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment met and worked with Mr. Isaac Maria dos Anjos, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Angola, to promote bilateral agricultural cooperation.

At the meeting, both sides emphasized the critical importance of food security amidst global fluctuations. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination in developing sustainable eucalyptus and cassava raw material areas. Additionally, rice production was identified as a priority area, opening opportunities for Viet Nam to share its experience, technology, and efficient production models, with the aim of supporting Angola in enhancing its self-sufficiency and ensuring a long-term food supply.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department and Head of the Delegation, reported on the results of the meeting with the Minister. He also proposed the sequence for implementing the preparatory steps for the project "Supporting Sustainable Agricultural and Forestry Production Development in Angola" (within the framework of the South-South Cooperation).

The project is consequently developed into five main components: Component 1 focuses on technical and strategic raw material area development, specifically for eucalyptus wood and cassava. The project will select and transfer high-quality varieties, establish sustainable forest management procedures, and develop a tissue culture laboratory, high-tech nurseries, and a cassava raw material zone following the value chain. Solutions for specialized fertilizers, integrated livelihood models, and soil nutrient surveys will be incorporated to optimize cultivation and reduce chemical dependence.

Component 2 focuses on agricultural extension, production organization, and technology transfer, aiming to establish a systematic production support system from the central to the grassroots level. The project will strengthen the agricultural extension network, build a digital platform, develop the farmer household - cooperative - enterprise linkage model, and operate technical transfer demonstration centers for practices such as circular agriculture and water-saving irrigation. "Hand-holding" training programs, the compilation of standard documentation in Portuguese, and the development of a multi-media communication strategy will help standardize production processes.

Component 3 aims at long-term training and capacity building through on-the-job training for all value chain stakeholders, offering short-term certification courses, organizing study programs in Viet Nam, and supporting Master's and PhD scholarships to form a team of local sustainable agriculture experts.

Component 4 focuses on institutional and policy completion, assisting Angola in assessing its legal system, developing national standards and regulations, implementing GAP certification and traceability mechanisms, and consulting on the legal framework for managing raw material areas and sustainable forestry.

Finally, Component 5 establishes an effective project management mechanism at the Ministerial level and in Angola, based on the principles of South-South cooperation, emphasizing experience sharing, respecting sovereignty, and building self-sufficiency capacity to ensure long-term sustainability.

Listening to the proposals from Viet Nam, Minister Isaac Maria dos Anjos expressed his consensus and highly appreciated the direction of cooperation. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that it will soon send a Letter of Request to the Vietnamese side to coordinate in project preparation. Based on Angola's request, the South-South Working Group will report to the leaders of Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for consideration and policy approval. The Group will then send a technical delegation for a feasibility study to develop the project, which will be submitted to the two Ministries for approval. Based on the documents, the two Ministries will sign a Project Implementation Agreement.

Furthermore, Minister Isaac Maria dos Anjos proposed organizing an additional meeting immediately during the Vietnamese delegation's working visit for both sides to sign the Minutes of the Meeting along with the draft project proposal. He simultaneously directed the relevant Angolan authorities to urgently, or "at lightning speed," implement the preparatory steps. At the meeting, the Vietnamese side also expressed the desire to welcome the Minister to visit Viet Nam as soon as possible.

The Angolan leader emphasized that establishing the eucalyptus and cassava raw material areas not only helps effectively exploit unused land, but also creates momentum for green growth, expands sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and gradually reduces dependence on oil. These efforts, according to the Minister, will contribute to promoting Angola's agricultural and forestry sector to develop more sustainably, support the process of economic diversification, strengthen national food security, and at the same time deepen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam conducted their working visit with a resolute, thorough, and highly effective mindset. In response to this spirit, Minister Isaac Maria dos Anjos demonstrated a strong commitment, creating momentum to boost the cooperation process between the two countries. Angola continues to affirm its role as a key partner in Viet Nam's expansion of South-South cooperation in Africa. The overall tone of the working sessions was geared towards clarity and substance, resulting in more feasible steps for implementing cooperation.