TFNet facilitated a study visit with organizing partner, SOFRI or the Southern Horticultural Research Centre of Vietnam, for officers from the Department of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia to the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam from 6 – 9 December 2013.
The objectives of this study visit were to:
- Highlight some of the technologies to improve productivity of fruit crops in Vietnam
- Observe the implementation of VietGAP for selected fruit crops to enhance market access
- Observe the farming systems including crop rotation in rice growing areas
- Learn about the research directions and priorities in developing the Vietnam fruit industry
A briefing on SOFRI’s activities was chaired by SOFRI Director Dr. Nguyen Van Hoa and delivered by Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Vice Head of the Department of Research Management and International Cooperation before field visits were made to:
- Mango farms at Cai Be, Tien Giang province
- Mandarin orange/guava intercrop in Tien Giang
- Dragon fruit farm at Cho Gao district
- Acerola farm at Go Cong
- Rice/watermelon/vegetable rotational system in rice Go Cong.
The visit was an example of the interaction encouraged among TFNet country members to exchange information and discuss issues that can enhance cooperation and engagement for improved development of their tropical fruit industry.