An MoU on cooperation in agriculture and related fields was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Philippine Department of Agriculture in Hanoi on January 30.

Relevant agencies in the two countries will create conditions and promote cooperation in agriculture and high-quality aquaculture, post-harvest processing, and food processing, to ensure food quality, farm management, and sustainability, and will increase agricultural investment and trade between enterprises in the two countries.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of talks between Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and the Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

Mr. Laurel emphasized that the Philippines considers Vietnam an important partner in ensuring food security, with 80 per cent of its rice imports coming from the country.

It also hopes to receive support from Vietnam in improving rice production and post-harvest processing.

The Philippines also wants to establish an investment partnership in the rice industry with Vietnam, he said.

He proposed that the two sides cooperate in a range of fields, including seafood, animal husbandry, and rice production.

Minister Hoan, meanwhile, suggested that relevant agencies in the two countries actively exchange information and cooperation in the application of advanced science and technology, creating favorable conditions for agricultural trading between the two countries.

He also recommended that the Philippines coordinate with Vietnam to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.