Vietnam and the InternationalRice Research Institute (IRRI) have signed a document on theestablishment of an IRRI Office in Vietnam.

Thedocument was inked by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development(MARD) Cao Duc Phat and IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler in Hanoi onNovember 27 as part of a conference on restructuring the rice sector inservice of rural development.

As the firstinternational agriculture study facility that has been recognised by theVietnamese Government, the office will assist the exchange andconnection between Vietnamese scientists and IRRI experts, contributingto realising the rice strategy of Vietnam.

Duringthe conference, the MARD and IRRI also agreed on overall cooperationstrategies and programmes as well as technical support for Vietnam tomake the rice sector an important driver of the country’s economicgrowth.

According to MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat,over 80 percent of rice varieties cultivated in the Mekong Delta regionare originated from IRRI researches and selection.

Vietnam has about 10 million farmer households living in ruralareas, while about 70 percent of the country’s population involve inagriculture, he noted.

Restructuring the rice sectoris significant to raising farmers’ incomes as well as agriculture’svalue, since rice accounts for nearly a half of the value generated byfarm products, he stated.

The minister called for further support from the international community, including the IRRI, in the work.

He also pointed to the need for the rice sector to do more for farmersand the growth of both the agriculture sector and the economy.

The establishment of the office constitutes the determination andcommitment of Vietnam and the IRRI to working together closely in makingthe rice sector and agriculture better, the minister underscored.-VNA