May 24, 2010

Japan is to help Vietnam improve crop safety and productivity as part of a US$3-million worth project signed last Friday (May 21).

The 42-month project between Japan International Co-operation Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will cover two important areas in crop production: encouraging and developing new plant varieties through strengthening the capacity of the Plant Variety Protection system and improving sustainable crop production systems.

The project is expected to utilise Japanese experience by training officers in charge of safe production at central and provincial levels for them to transfer the techniques to farmers. At the same time, it will raise awareness on safe production. The project will focus on improving administrative procedures, data management and testing methods.

There has been increasing concern in Vietnam about biochemical residues and heavy metal in agricultural products, which are harmful to the environment as well as people's health. Certain areas of safe crop products have been developed, but there are still cases of food poisoning.