Agronomist calls for Viet Nam to help Africa with cultivation

On the sidelines of the first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum on sustainable food security held in HCM City earlier this month, Viet Nam News spoke to Professor Vo Tong Xuan, former rector of An Giang University

How is the food situation in ASEAN and what should be done to ensure food security in future?

In ASEAN, some countries like the Philippines and Indonesia still have to import food. Growing food is facing many challenges, especially due to the worsening climate. However, some huge countries like China and India have ensured their food supply. Thailand and Viet Nam are the top rice exporting countries in the world.

Asia has just a small surplus and if Asian governments do not manage well, food prices will rise due to speculation.

After the 2008 financial crisis, Asian nations have recognised the importance of food security. They have realised the need to increase investment in food production. But in the long term, Africa will face a serious shortage of food since the US promotes the use of bio-fuel, which is made from some cheap food crops like maize and cassava.

With the new trend of using bio-fuel, the availability of cheap food in the world market will drop. At first the US will mix 5-10 per cent of bio-fuel but the figure will increase in future. Therefore, the US will need more cheap food from all over the world.

Because of that, US food aid to Africa will be reduced and prices will rise. Rice will be replaced by maize in the future in Africa and more food crops will be needed for both eating and fuel.

Co-operation between Asia and Europe is becoming more and more important with the focus on how to stabilise food security around the world.

I think Viet Nam can provide rice-farming technology to Africa and help them feed themselves. However, Viet Nam has limited finance for the initiative and I hope leaders of European nations will provide support.

Some ask me how, after providing the support, Viet Nam can continue to export rice to Africa but I think international co-operation for global food security is the most important task to help nations ensure their own food supply. It will be good for stability all over the world.

In Viet Nam, income from rice farming cannot sustain farmers' livelihoods. How can we improve the situation?

We admit that it is a fact. During the last few years, many farmers have shifted from growing rice to vegetables.

However, farmers do not know exactly what kind of vegetables or trees will bring them profit and the Government does not either.

We should study the experiences of neighbouring Thailand. The Thai Government directly buys rice from farmer at a price that encourages farmers to continue cultivating. After that, they sell rice to companies and exporters. Sometimes, the price is high, sometimes lower. But it means that farmers do not need to worry about selling their crops. They only have to focus on farming well.

In Viet Nam, the situation is totally different. Enterprises and exporters decide prices and they also make profits. Farmers suffer risks and losses. That is our problem.

I hope our leaders have clearly understood the situation and adopt appropriate solutions to boost agriculture, rural areas, and farmers' living standards.

The most important thing is to closely link farmers' rights and entrepreneurs' benefits. If farmers feel assured about selling their crops, prices, and profits with support from the Government, they will never give up rice cultivation.

Another option is to build factories in rural areas to create jobs for farmers. Land should be transferred to big corporations. Rice cultivated on large areas with modern technologies mean increased output and quality and competitive prices.

The change is crucial and needs strong action from the Government. If not, farmers will find it hard to survive.

How does climate change affect agricultural production?

Climate change is happening but it is not responsible for all the bad impacts on agriculture as people often claim. For instance, during this year's dry season, the Mekong River saw severe seawater incursion for a longer period because China has built four huge hydropower dams upstream and retained most of the water.

Furthermore, Mekong River nations like Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and, especially, Viet Nam have sharply increased the area under the summer-spring [rice] crop.

I think climate change will have an impact but in the far future. However, co-operation between governments is a very important factor in stopping the threat. — VNS