Vietnam and Cuba collaborate on agricultural technical assistance

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam met with and spoke with Cuban Deputy Minister of Agriculture Maury Hechavarria Bermudez and Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment during National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's official visit to Cuba from April 18 to 23.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam stated that cooperation in the sector of agricultural development has been regarded as the spearhead and highlight of the two countries' longstanding friendship.

"During the last 20 years, the two countries' agricultural cooperation has been defined by various cooperation projects in rice development, corn, bean, coffee, and aquaculture," said Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam.

These initiatives will attempt to improve scientific and technical exchange between the two countries in the upcoming, as well as to assist Cuba in boosting its production capacity to become self-sufficient in food production. 

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam appreciated and stressed several issues in the two nations' cooperation during a meeting with the Cuban Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

The rice development cooperation project has gone through four phases so far, and phase 5 is now being implemented. The project has yielded significant benefits, including help in Cuban technical staff training, the establishment of an agricultural extension system, the development of production models in Cuba, and the improvement of infrastructure, among other things.

Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests that the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture closely direct farms coordinate with Vietnamese experts to perfect production models aimed at saving input materials and fuel, expanding rice production area, and increasing rice production efficiency.

Furthermore, the Cuban side must direct the quick multiplication of newly tested and selected Vietnamese rice varieties for production. It is critical to develop favorable project implementation conditions and improve information sharing between the two parties.

"I hope that the present results will assist us to maintain our close cooperation, boost cooperation and technological exchange between the two countries, and strengthen the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and friendship. During more than six decades, the governments and peoples of the two nations have worked together to achieve this result, " Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said.

Cuba's Deputy Minister Maury Hechavarria Bermudez reaffirmed the traditional friendship and extensive collaboration between Cuba and Vietnam.

Cuba's production situation is hampered by a shortage of resources and techniques. As a result, Deputy Minister Bermudez was grateful for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's assistance and collaboration throughout the years.

In response to his counterpart, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam appreciated and encouraged bilateral collaboration in general, and bilateral cooperation between the two ministries in particular, with the goal of assisting Cuba in ensuring food security.

The Deputy Minister proposed that the growth of Cuban agriculture be linked to the participation of private firms, therefore helping to duplicate the good production model in this country's agricultural sector.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam and Deputy Minister Maury Hechavarria Bermudez agreed to meet in May when the latter will personally tour production models and engage with firms in the domains of agricultural and animal feed in Vietnam.

Cuba is seen as one of Vietnam's prospective Central American markets. Two-way trade transaction between Vietnam and Cuba has recently surpassed USD 250-350 million per year. Vietnamese companies export a wide range of commodities to Cuba, including electrical appliances, electronics, apparel, shoes, cosmetics, building materials, industrial materials, home appliances, stationery, food. And Cuba, in particular, is a reliable rice import market for Vietnam.

The Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement was signed in April 2020, marking Cuba's first commercial pact with an Asian country. This has created chances to strengthen bilateral trade partnerships. Furthermore, this is a vital foundation for firms in both countries to take advantage of tariff advantages and use the Cuban market as a focal point to pave the way for Vietnamese goods to be exported to nearby areas and Latin American nations. In the next five years, Vietnam and Cuba hope to increase their bilateral commercial turnover to USD 500 million.