Responsible agriculture business forum opens in Hanoi
(VOV) - The second responsible business forum on food and agriculture opened in Hanoi on June 23, with the participation of 350 leaders from ASEAN, international businesses, and financial and agricultural associations.
During the two-day forum, themed ‘ASEAN Beyond 2015:Collaboration for Equitable Growth,’ participants make recommendations for increasing agricultural productivity, whilst improving rural livelihoods and reducing overall environmental impact.
They also proposed measures to increase supply chains of products like tea, rice, coffee, seafood, dairy products and corn.
Addressing the forum, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc, said ensuring food security and safety is a global challenge, as the agriculture is being threatened by urbanisation, pollution, environmental degradation and climate change.
To deal with the challenge, countries, including Vietnam, must find proper solutions for improving the quality of agricultural products and productivity to raise farmers’ livelihood and minimising food losses and environment impacts.
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We must develop agricultural production in a sustainable manner and businesses play a key role in connecting and developing sustainable agriculture through applying innovative production initiatives, Loc said.
Loc added that a few businesses in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries have invested in agriculture and agricultural technologies.
Tony Gourlay, managing director of Global Initiatives and a principal organiser, said the forum aims to call on global action on climate change and water shortage in the region that significantly affects global food security.
The event is expected to create a considerable influence in the Southeast region and around the globe. Participants will discuss and continue to seek creative and cooperation approaches to improve agricultural production in the region, where 40% of population rely on agriculture.