BIOTECH WORKSHOP IN HANOI

Updated: 17/12/2009

The workshop titled “Development and Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture in Vietnam – Legal Framework” organized by Vietnam Biotechnology Information Center of ISAAA (Agbiotech) was held on Dec 09, 2009 at the Horizon Hotel in Hanoi. Vietnam's top experts such as Dr. nguyen Quang Toan – Director from the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development (MARD), Dr. Le Huy Ham – Director of Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute (AGI), Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan from Ministry of Natural Resources and Enviroment, Dr. Le Tien from Agbiotech Vietnam have gave their insights on biotechnology, biosafety and legal framwork in Vietnam. Dr. Le Huy Ham – Director of Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute (AGI) said that population is increasing, land is limited, therefore food insecurity become a biggest challenge for Vietnam. The country’s population will reach 100 million by 2020 and 130 million in 2050. To feed that population, Vietnam needs to produce of an extra of 1 million ton of food per year and that require Vietnam to strongly promote the development and widely adoption of modern technology. Dr. Nguyen Quang Toan – Director from MARD strongly emphasised the results of modern biotechnology such as stress resistant and high yield crops, making bioethanol from feedstock, benefits from using GM crops such as reducing fertilise spraying, cost saving, environment protection. He also highlighted the safety of GMO products in the market, many governments in industry have conducted rigorous assessments and tests on the GM foods before its commercialization, a lot of scientific experiments guaranteed security of GM crop. More than hundred people from media, agricultural officers, policy makers, lawers, S&T information Centers of Association of Science and Technology’s information in Vietnam, representatives of US Ambassy in Hanoi, Monsantor... have attended the workshop. Among that about twenty media reporters represented leading newspapers such as Vietnam news agency, The People's Newspaper, Radio the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Net, The Labour, The Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam Agriculture, Today Countryside…. attended the workshop and had in depth discussion with Scientists. To increase public understanding of biotechnology, the same workshop will be organised in Phu Tho Province on December 24, 2009. The success of these workshops will facilitate Agbiotech Vietnam to implement a series of workshop in different provinces to expanding public understanding of biotechnology from next year. Agbiotech Vietnam