Vietnam and Netherlands Enhance Agriculture with Innovative Seeds
Netherlands, Monday, 6 January 2025.
Vietnam and the Netherlands are successfully collaborating on agricultural innovations, introducing new seed varieties like crystal lettuce and Sweet Palermo peppers, boosting sustainable farming in Vietnam.
Groundbreaking Agricultural Partnership
The collaboration between Vietnam and the Netherlands has yielded remarkable results in agricultural innovation, particularly through the partnership between Langbiang Farm and Rijk Zwaan Việt Nam in Lâm Đồng Province [1]. This agritech initiative has successfully introduced several innovative seed varieties, including crystal lettuce, purple corn, cold-resistance cucumbers, and Sweet Palermo peppers [1][2]. The partnership has demonstrated significant productivity gains, with WinEco, a major Vietnamese supplier, reporting a 30 percent increase in productivity compared to previous yields [1].
Infrastructure and Research Development
Rijk Zwaan has established a substantial presence in Vietnam with their R&D center in Lâm Đồng Province, spanning 3.8 hectares [1]. This facility serves as a strategic hub for Southeast Asian regional development [1]. The collaboration’s success is evident in WinEco’s operations, where approximately 10 tonnes of Rijk Zwaan seeds annually yield around 2,500 tonnes of produce [1][2].
Economic Impact and Growth
The partnership has contributed to significant growth in Vietnam’s agricultural sector. The gross output value increased from VNĐ37.97 trillion ($1.56 billion) in 2021 to VNĐ45 trillion ($1.83 billion) in 2023 [1]. The export of ornamental flowers alone has shown remarkable growth, rising from $61.8 million in 2021 to $80 million in 2023 [1]. These achievements reflect the success of the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, which marks its tenth year in 2024 [1].
Future Prospects
The collaboration continues to strengthen, as evidenced by the recent visit of 50 Dutch agribusiness representatives to Vietnam in March 2024, focusing on investment opportunities in Lâm Đồng Province [1]. According to Đặng Văn Niên, managing director of Rijk Zwaan Việt Nam, there are opportunities for further growth, particularly in streamlining regulations for plant variety imports [1]. The partnership demonstrates the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting Vietnam’s agricultural development through practical initiatives and technological transfer [2].