The 9th quarterly SDMD Dialogue on "Food technology - Production, processing and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta"

On the morning of March 22^nd, 2024, Can Tho University (CTU) organized the 9^th quarterly SDMD dialogue themed "Food technology - Production, processing and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta". The dialogue took place at the Administration Building, CTU, and was live-streamed on the CTU Fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/CTUDHCT), the SDMD 2045 Fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/sdmd2045), and via Zoom meetings.

Overview of the dialogue

Attending the dialogue were Mr. Enrico Padula, Consul General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City; Prof. Tanaka Yuji, Chief Advisor of the Technical Cooperation Project - Phase 2; Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, Secretary General of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers; Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang, Science and Technology Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hong Anh, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade; managers, scientists from international organizations, local departments, and agencies; domestic institutes, universities, businesses, associations, and delegates participating online via various platforms.

At CTU’s side were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan, Former Rector and head of the SDMD 2045 Steering Committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Rector; and leaders, former leaders, staff, and students of CTU’s units.

The online participants

Based on the Party and Government’s strategic orientation for regional sustainable development, Can Tho University, with its resources and mission, has presided over the Forum for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta - Outlook 2045 (SDMD 2045) to connect and cooperate with domestic and foreign stakeholders to integrate national and international collaborative research and development activities, to contribute to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region with a vision to 2045.

In his opening speech at the dialogue, Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan shared that the production, processing, and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta region face great challenges and opportunities to expand the scale and integrate deeply into international markets, establish and develop safe food production areas; form chains of production and consumption; and link farmers, manufacturers, and businesses for mutual profits.

Prof. Dr. Ha Thanh Toan in his opening remarks

Being one of Vietnam's leading agricultural regions, the Mekong Delta plays a significant role in the country’s economic development, ensuring food security and exporting agricultural products and goods. The region is also considered the hub of diverse and abundant agricultural production. Therefore, the food technology industry plays a vital role in agricultural product production, processing, and consumption.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ly Nguyen Binh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Food and Biotechnology, CTU reported on "Training human resources to meet the needs of technology development, and production, processing and consumption chains of agricultural and aquaculture products in the Mekong Delta". The report has identified and discussed solutions and directions to build a highly skilled workforce to meet the increasing demands of the agriculture and aquaculture sectors in the region

Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang, Ministry of Industry and Trade, presented "Barriers restricting in access to market for Mekong Delta‘s agricultural products and solutions for sustainable development". Through his sharings, the Steering Committee of SDMD 2045 has conducted analysis, evaluation, and proposed suitable solutions, contributing to expanding the market and building a sustainable agricultural foundation in the region.

Dr. Regine Stockmann from CSIRO, Australia, presented "Nutrition and food: From scientific research, innovation to business incubation and commercialization." The report pointed out opportunities and challenges in creating high-quality nutritional products and food while exploring market potential and promoting the development of the food technology industry in the future.

Mr. Toshinao Tanaka, Director of Takesho Food Vietnam Co., Ltd., discussed " Agri- and aqua-cultural product processing: The role of cooperation between multi-stakeholders: Enterprises—Institutions—Local authorities.” The report highlighted that cooperation between parties is a key factor in ensuring efficiency and sustainability in farming and processing agriculture and aquaculture products.

Based on the development of high-tech agriculture, food technology has become an indispensable factor in optimizing agricultural product production and processing. Advanced technology methods have been applied to increase productivity, product quality, and expand the consumer market. By this way, the food industry contributes to strengthening the local economy and plays an important role in sustainable development and environmental protection.

Mr. Enrico Padula, Consul General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, shared about "Conservation and promotion of specialties and cuisine culture for sustainable development - Experiences from Italy". His sharings affirmed that the conservation and promotion of specialties and cuisine culture become a top priority to ensure sustainable development.

After five reports revolving around food technology - production, processing, and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta, the dialogue covered discussions and sharings from the participants.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien from Chanh Viet Trading and Investment Joint Stock Company presented on "Diversifying agricultural processing products and value-added products"

Dr. Phan Thi Kim Lien, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, presented on "Mycotoxin contamination of food and strategies for the reduction of mycotoxin".

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Truyen from the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported on “Agricultural raw materials, food safety, and traceability issues”.

Ms. Vo Thi Bich Thuy, Deputy Director of the Quality Management Department at Saigon Cooperative Alliance (Saigon COOP), presented “Experience in promoting the introduction of agricultural products from the Mekong Delta into modern retail channels”.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Nhon, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho City, shared "orientation and solutions for the development of the Center for the Mekong Delta agricultural products production - supply - processing - consumption in Can Tho City".

Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, discussed the human resources of Vietnam's seafood industry and the opportunities and challenges of Vietnam's seafood exports in the future.

Mr. Fabio De Cillis, Italian Trade Agency in Vietnam, shared experiences and directions on traditional and OCOP products and mentioned the conditions for exporting products.

Closing the dialogue, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong emphasized that in the process of industrialization and modernization of the Mekong Delta region, human resources are the most critical issue that needs to be addressed in the production, processing, and consumption of agricultural products in the Mekong Delta region; to link, cooperate and share among agencies - businesses - institutions are must-do work. CTU will use essential results from the dialogue to continue proposing to state agencies, along with the support of resources from universities and technology from businesses, to serve the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong concluded the dialogue.

Within the dialogue framework, CTU has signed cooperation agreements with Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers to promote the development of the food technology sector.

Signing a cooperation agreement between CTU and Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

Signing a cooperation agreement between CTU and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers

Over its 58 years of establishment and growth, CTU has developed comprehensively in all fields. In the new context, with new knowledge and human resources, the University commits to further enhancing cooperation with many domestic and international units and making more efforts to fulfill the mission of training, scientific research, and serving the community for the strong development of the Mekong Delta region in line with its position and potential.

Group photo

(Website Editorial Board)