On 26^th November 2021, IPSARD and the Department of Planning organised the consultation hybrid meeting on the draft of the Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the period 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, aimed to get comments from international development organisations in Vietnam. Co-chaired by Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep and Former Minister Cao Duc Phat, the meeting had the participation of representatives from WB, IFAD, ADB, UNDP, Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, JICA, DFAT, KOICA, GIZ, IRRI, IDH…

According to Mr Francisco Pichon, Head of the Mekong Hub and Country director for Vietnam and Thailand, in two decades of rapid economic growth, Vietnam has changed directions and applied integrated approaches. He recommended there are factors that need to be focused in the Strategy: poverty reduction for mountainous areas, ethnic minorities; and support for areas being impacted greatly by climate change. Mr Pichon also suggested the support programs from international partners and the government should prioritize ethnic poverty reduction, capacity building for female households in coordination with women’s unions and youth’s unions, and support for policy innovation.

Sharing ideas, Ms Dina Umaili-Deininger, Practice Manager for Agriculture and Food Global Practice for East Asia Pacific Region of the World Bank group recommended that the Strategy needs to emphasize more on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, smart agriculture, and climate change. Values in processing and trade must be created to solve the labour shortage. Agriculture needs to be improved in the capacities of cooperatives and enterprises. The financial approach should be improved to create the linkages of cooperatives and business models. World Bank committees to support and accompany Vietnam's government and MARD on inclusive development and sustainable development in agriculture.

The discussion part of the meeting was lively with many insightful comments, clarifying many aspects of the Strategy. The Strategy also received appreciation from international development agencies, and they all gave their commitments to supporting Vietnam’s agriculture to achieve the goal of sustainable development.