The programme will feature five main activities: an exhibition introducing agricultural products, and technology and equipment used in the agricultural sector; a conference on science and technology applications in agriculture; a programme to promote investment in technology and technology transfer; an agricultural extension programme; and a technology demonstration.

The exhibition is expected to have 300-400 booths set up by businesses, co-operatives and farmers from more than 20 provinces and cities.

Tran Xuan Dich, deputy director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said, in addition to tourism, the agricultural sector plays an important role in contributing to social-economic development in the South Central Coast region.

The region’s agricultural development was still slow compared to its potential, he said, adding that “farmers and businesses need to embrace the application of advanced technologies to create specific products of each locality that are highly competitive in both domestic and export markets.”

The programme promises to provide a good chance for farmers, businesses, organisations and scientists to exchange information, understand each other’s challenges and enhance co-operation in technology application in the agricultural sector so as to improve product quality and productivity as well as the value of Vietnamese farm produce, he said.

Phan Thi My Yen, director of the Centre for Viet-Trademark Research Application and Development, said recent research conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that science and technology contributed 30-40 per cent of the agricultural sector’s growth in past years.

"The figure is expected to increase since more and more businesses have made big investments in the sector," she said.

The event is organised by the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development and the Centre for Viet-Trademark Research Application and Development in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Industry and Trade together with 24 localities nationwide. — VNS