With total investment of approximately KRW6.7 billion (nearly US$4.8 million) through 2027, the initiative will be carried out in Nghe An and Dong Thap provinces, both major sesame-producing regions.

Under the plan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) will support the construction of agricultural product collection and distribution centres (APCs), develop seed production facilities, and provide drying and processing equipment.

In addition to infrastructure investment, the project will include the deployment of Korean agricultural experts to Vietnam and training programmes for local farmers aimed at transferring advanced cultivation technologies.

Notably, Nghe An province is currently promoting sesame as a signature agricultural product linked to the Vietnamese government’s rural development programme. However, limited productivity and processing technology have continued to undermine the sector’s competitiveness.

Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, director of the International Cooperation Department under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said the cooperation project is expected to help improve sesame productivity and quality while increasing farmers’ incomes.

Meanwhile, a representative from MAFRA said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to expand bilateral cooperation in sustainable agricultural development and enhance food security between the RoK and Vietnam.

Vietnam, RoK cooperate in sustainable sesame production

Research results on sesame production, processing, and trading from experts in Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) were the topic of discussion at a workshop held in the north-central province of Nghe An on October 8 and 9.