Mr. David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group, represents the Agricultural Working Group at the VBF 2023 Forum.
Photo: Quach Son.
The recommendations of the business for Vietnam at VBF 2023 focus on the goal of transitioning to smart agriculture, focusing on digital solutions, generating new production ideas.
At the technical meeting of the VBF 2023 Annual Vietnam Business Forum, on March 17, Mr. David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group, representative of the Agricultural Working Group, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has created many changes in the market structure of the agricultural industry.
In particular, many Vietnamese fruits and rice products have successfully penetrated the European market, where Thailand once dominated before. In 2023, Vietnam aims to continue diversifying markets, orienting products to meet export and food safety requirements.
"It is expected that in 2023 and beyond, market requirements will become more stringent, forcing the entire industry to innovate, improve adaptability and accurately identify opportunities to build a sustainable agriculture sector that focuses on green agriculture as part of the circular economy." David John Whitehead demanded.
Vietnam has made commitments at COP 26 to ensure production growth and environmental protection, build sustainable agriculture, participate in global value and food chains.
Mr. David John Whitehead pointed out: "These commitments must be reflected in concrete actions by producers, livestock farmers, growers and FDI enterprises directly involved in agriculture".
Therefore, the Agricultural Working Group said that the agricultural sector in Vietnam and the world in 2023 needs to be restructured.
"The agriculture sector needs to come up with new ideas, smart concepts, innovative farming models, digitalisation, more efficient logistics, a greater focus on circular agriculture and environmental responsibility," said David John Whitehead, Chairman of Mavin Group.
One of the solutions that the Working Group emphasized is agricultural development based on digital transformation, linking domestic and international markets. This is in line with Vietnam's development orientation for the period of 2021 – 2030.
"Vietnam has accelerated digital transformation in many sectors, in which agriculture is a top priority. But facing the increasing requirements of the export market, Vietnam's agriculture needs to improve its competitiveness, adapt to new conditions by applying smart technology in production activities", Mr. David John Whitehead analyzed.
Therefore, according to this representative, Vietnam's agriculture needs to apply advanced technologies and digital transformation to create a turning point in agricultural production and business. Shifting from a traditional agricultural economy to an agricultural economy based on science and technology and digital transformation, including agricultural circular mechanisms.
The Agricultural Working Group of VBF 2023 assessed that the Covid-19 pandemic is not only a difficulty and challenge, but also an opportunity for foreign investors to play a pioneering role in applying agricultural technology and methods intelligently and effectively. At the same time, realize the benefits in controlling waste and environmental pollution.
"Vietnam needs to set an accelerating momentum in digital transformation combined with smart agriculture, enabling better water, feed, fertilizer, traceability and waste management," Mr. David John Whitehead added.
Agricultural digital transformation is a priority field. Photo: People's Committee of Son La province.
In response to the proposals of the Agricultural Working Group, Mr. To Viet Chau, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department, MARD acknowledged that 2023 is forecasted to have many challenges due to energy security and food security being threatened. Therefore, MARD highly appreciates the recommendations of the Working Group for delving into the shortcomings of the sector
"MARD appreciates and receives the recommendations and proposals of the business community at the VBF Forum 2023. We are committed to continuing to study and review and submit to the Government for amendment and supplementation of mechanisms and policies to improve the investment and business environment, creating the most favorable conditions for enterprises to invest in agriculture," Mr. Chau said.
The agriculture industry wishes to promote in-depth cooperation with domestic and foreign agricultural investors, in both the process of policy development as well as investment attraction, in order to develop sustainably according to the trend of green transformation.
Also at the forum, Mr. Chau assessed that the cooperation of the business community and the efforts of farmers have helped the agricultural industry overcome the difficulties of 2022. Export turnover of the whole industry reached over 53 billion USD, trade surplus reached 8.5 billion USD, up 30% compared to 2021.
Original article: Doanh nghiệp FDI muốn đi tiên phong trong chuyển đổi số nông nghiệp Việt Na | Mekong ASEAN