On June 15, 2023, Ms. Sokka Hoy – Agriculture Specialist (US Embassy in Phom Penh, Cambodia), visited the Climate Change Research Institute (DRAGON-Mekong). Accompanied by Ms. Sokka Hoy, other members include Mr. Kevin Min - Agricultural Analyst (US Department of Agriculture), Ms. Hoang To Nga - Agriculture Specialist (US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City), and Mr. Nguyen Hoang Linh - Agriculture Specialist (US Embassy in Hanoi). At the meeting, agricultural specialists from the Office of Agriculture Foreign Affairs - US Department of Agriculture expressed concern about the climate change affecting the agriculture sector in Vietnam, especially sharing about adaptive and sustainable agricultural practices that have been applied in the Mekong Delta.

Representatives of two organizations discuss agricultural issues in the Mekong Delta.

Direct dialogue with agricultural experts, Assoc. Prof. Pham Van Toan introduced examples of different rice farming systems in the Mekong Delta; for instance, shrimp production is combined with rice fields. In addition, the severe problems of the delta and adaptable solutions for agriculture are also addressed. However, many technical barriers still make applying adaptation models for the delta difficult. Regarding the current agricultural context, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri and Agriculture Specialists also expect Can Tho University, DRAGON-Mekong, and the US Government to accompany in future cooperation contracts towards the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.

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Writer: Nguyen Luyen Phuong Doan

Poster: Tran Quoc Dung