Dutch horticultural innovation in Vietnam

There is a growing demand for agricultural products and animal proteins in Vietnam and neighboring countries. Vietnamese entrepreneurs need a higher production rate and an increase in food safety and food security. The Netherlands has the highest production rate of the world with respect to horticultural and agricultural production and is specialized in food safety. Moreover, Dutch horticultural expertise and knowledge can be used to solve food certainty issues. Therefore, there are opportunities for the Netherlands regarding to the export of advanced technologies for intensive, sustainable horticulture and agriculture. Next to that, they can export horticultural knowledge and skills to developing countries like Vietnam.

Dong Thap
The agricultural sector in Dong Thap, a province in the Mekong Delta, keeps growing. Next to rice and fruit production, the province cultivates floricultural products on a large area. Sa Dec, well known as Flower Village, provides many flowers and ornamental plants. However, small scale production, old techniques, low production and low quality are issues faced by the farmers. The Dong Thap province has therefore the aim to develop and improve the agricultural industry. They aim to achieve a higher level of production, an increase of agricultural knowledge, an increase in food safety and food security.

Realizing a Horticultural Agricultural Center of Excellence (HACE)
The objectives of Dong Thap province can be achieved by using the Dutch horticultural and agricultural technologies and knowledge. Demokwekerij Westland and Kenlog will develop in cooperation with Kenlog a business model for the realization of a center such as Demokwekerij Westland, named Horticultural Agricultural Center of Excellence (HACE). HACE aims to transfer the Dutch horticultural knowledge, expertise and products in order to improve and develop the agricultural sector in Dong Thap. This center of excellence should fit with the needs of the stakeholders and the local circumstances which will be investigated in this feasibility study. The needs, local circumstances and the requirements and the horticultural knowledge and expertise of the Dutch experts are used for determining the design.

Overhead irrigation

Drip irrigation

Conclusion
This feasibility study shows that the construction and operation of HACE in Dong Thap is definitely commercially feasible. The greenhouse is financed by the local government in Dong Thap and the pay back time is short. Next to that, it can be concluded that the construction and operation of HACE in Dong Thap is technically feasible. The design of the greenhouse at HACE fits with the local circumstances and needs; Dutch technologies are suitable to use in this greenhouse design.

Tomato, pepper, cucumber, melons are interesting and suitable vegetable crops for the Dong Thap province; Kalanchoe and Chrysanthemum are interesting and suitable flower and plant crops in Dong Thap.

Source: Agroberichten Buitenland