CM seeks Vietnam’s aid to boost agriculture

Guwahati, May 14: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who has been on a daylong tour to Vietnam on Monday, met several top leaders of the Vietnam Government and harped on key economic and other bilateral issues to boost agriculture, trade, and commerce in the State. Sonowal held separate discussions with Vietnam Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan, Chairman of Vietnam’s External Relations Commission Hoang Binh Quan, and Vice-Chairman of Central Economic Commission Cao Duc Phat at Hanoi. He was accompanied by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and 13 other MLAs during the meetings.

The delegation’s exposure tour has been undertaken to get a first-hand exposure of the farm practice of Vietnam and take inputs for revitalizing the agriculture sector of the State. He discussed with the Ha Cong Tuan the possibility of utilization of modern technology and expertise of Vietnam farmers to enable the farmers of the State to double their produces.

During the discussion, Sonowal appreciated the advancements that Vietnam has made in the field of paddy cultivation and requested the Deputy Minister of Agriculture to extend his country’s support in improving agriculture production in Assam.

The Vietnam Minister also shared the country’s success stories in the agriculture sector during the discussion and as to how modern technology and advanced farmer-friendly techniques helped agricultural growth in that country while also assuring the Chief Minister of looking into the issues raised by him positively to contribute to the State government’s efforts for doubling the farmers’ income in the State.

Sonowal, during his discussions with Cao Duc Phat, requested him to take steps for setting up a consulate office of the Vietnam Government in Guwahati and for organizing a cultural and youth exchange programme.

On the other hand, during his meeting with Hoang Binh Quan, the Chief Minister dwelt on the thrust given to the northeastern region of the country by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Act East Policy and different infrastructural advancements being made in recent years. He also emphasized strengthening of connectivity between Hanoi and Guwahati to promote tourism and trade.

Earlier, Sonowal visited the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Science, where the officials made a presentation on Vietnam’s agriculture, agricultural extension programmes, and research being carried out in the field of agriculture. The Chief Minister also made a field visit to the vegetable farm of the academy to see the farming systems in that country.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister took part in an investment roadshow at Hanoi where key business players of the country took part.

Vietnam is the second largest coffee producing country and highest in exporting pepper and Dragon fruits. As Assam shares affinity with Vietnam as far as its environmental and agro-climatic conditions go, a mutually sound bilateral relation and economic cooperation may significantly help in the growth of both the geographical territories of the Southeast Asia.