Denmark, Sweden and Vietnam Sign Agricultural Pact

Vietnam, Denmark and Sweden have signed separate agricultural impacts that focus on support for the poorest rural populations including ethnic minorities in Vietnam and administrative reform.

The Vietnam News reports that Denmark, Sweden and Vietnam have signed separate agricultural pacts. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat and the Danish Ambassador to Viet Nam Peter Lysholt Hansen signed an agricultural support program that will cover the years 2007-2012. The value of this project is estimated to be worth 230 million Danish Kroner (US$37 million). The program is designed to improve the opportunities of the poorest rural populations in a country where agriculture was a key sector. This includes support to poor and vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities and households, headed by women. Sustainable agriculture, improved market access for the rural poor, especially for ethnic minorities, demand-based extension services, better processing of products, environmental awareness, stronger grassroots democracy, and informed policy making for rural development based on research and dialogue are the anticipated outcomes of this joint venture. The Swiss Ambassador to Viet Nam Jean-Hubert Lebet and Phat signed plans for a programme on the implementation of public services and agricultural and rural development. The project will run for three years and is worth $6.56 million. This project is designed to enhance the living standards of ethnic minorities in the two mountainous provinces of Hoa Binh and Cao Bang. The project’s focus is on improving food security and incomes and promoting environmental protection. A system of public services in agriculture and rural development will be built with this funding and it is hoped that this will result in administrative reform, improved awareness and capacity in policy evaluation and better socio-economic development planning for the two provinces by 2010. January 2008 is the scheduled start date for this four year project.