HCM CITY — MENAS Vietnam Company Limited on February 6 signed a strategic cooperation with the Mekong Institute for Application of Science Technology and Training (MEFAST) to develop an agricultural culture ecosystem in Viet Nam by strengthening trade promotion of agricultural products and products of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme. 

This cooperation aims at contributing to the development of sustainable agriculture and civilised rural areas, where farmers are considered as the important subject in the development of the rural economy.

The two sides will partner with relevant units to organise programmes to support farmers in switching to an agricultural economy mindset, and towards providing increasingly professional and sustainable agricultural services. 

Accordingly, MEFAST will provide MENAS’s Mena Gourmet Market with high-quality fresh and processed agricultural products and foods, meeting requirements on quantity, variety, and food safety and hygiene standards.

It will coordinate with MENAS to organise regional specialty festivals on a weekly/monthly basis, agricultural culture programmes and events, OCOP product connection programmes, e-commerce training sessions, and livestream sales for interested parties.

It will support MENAS in market research, developing new products and e-commerce strategy, and brand promotion.

MENAS owns the Mena Gourmet Market system with modern spaces, infrastructure and a diverse ecosystem, with great potential in distributing, promoting and consuming products. It has been named among the Top 100 most sustainable enterprises in Asia for two consecutive years.

Meanwhile, MEFAST has been implementing a number of projects to connect and support research and the transfer of science and technology applications, and consult and provide training in the fields of agriculture, culture and tourism in many localities such as Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Ha Noi.

Nguyễn Ngọc Quý, MENAS Chief Operating Officer, said the two sides will co-host events and seminars on organic agricultural production chain linkage, product trade connection, technology transfer training and e-commerce development.

MENAS will distribute and consume products of MEFAST through its Mena Gourmet Market system and distribution channels, or through partners proposed by MEFAST, according to a unified mechanism between the parties to bring the best benefits to local farmers and businesses with OCOP products.

It will also cooperate with MEFAST in brand promotion for key agricultural products and products granted geographical indications on its media channels.

The two sides will cooperate with relevant units in building communities and ecosystems linking chains of key agricultural products and products granted geographical indications, combined with improving knowledge in rural development, and building the image of MENAS in localities, in the agricultural business community and with farmers. — VNS