The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen and further promote collaboration in research, development, capacity building, and dissemination of innovative rice technologies Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed…

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen and further promote collaboration in research, development, capacity building, and dissemination of innovative rice technologies

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to coordinate scientific, technical, and institutional efforts within the framework of South-South Cooperation (SSC) to support the transformation of food systems.

The program took place during the Vietnam-Africa Policy Dialogue: South-South Cooperation for Food System Transformation, as part of the Vietnam Rice International Expo in Hau Giang 2023. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and IRRI aims to enhance and further promote research, development, capacity building, and advocacy for the dissemination of innovative rice cultivation practices and sustainable natural resource management.

The overarching goal is to strengthen collaboration between rice scientists from both sides to advance South-South cooperation, share knowledge and expertise, and build capacity for partners in developing countries. The scale of cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and IRRI on South-South cooperation will be determined through a joint assessment of the needs and benefits of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the developing countries receiving support, the capacity of IRRI, and the effectiveness of the collaboration, taking into account the available financial resources to implement the joint program.

Specific projects under the Memorandum of Understanding will be identified following joint consultations between the two parties. Detailed agreements will outline the development plan for South-South cooperation, including scope, objectives, outputs, impacts, results, activities, operational rights, and intellectual property rights necessary to complete the projects. Additionally, budgets and contributions of resources by each participating party and/or any supporting funding sources will be determined.