The U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will jointly conduct a nationwide lecture series, “Vietnam Biotech: Growing the Future.”
This is the 3rd annual series which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 27, Hanoi on the 30th and Vinh Phuc on October 1.
Agricultural biotech was introduced commercially in 1996. Last year, more than 14 million farmers planted crops enhanced by the use of biotechnology. Most of them (about 90%) reside in developing countries. Estimated figures of the net economic benefit of biotechnology in 2008 were US$9.2 billion, half of which derived from developing countries. The benefit in Vietnam would be increased income and a better standard of living for rural residents.
According to organziers, the lecture series unite researchers, policymakers and agricultural workers to discuss agricultural biotechnology and its benefits for Vietnam’s economic development and food security. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, director of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines Los Banos College. The Deputy Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Ms. Virginia Palmer, will deliver opening remarks at the Hanoi conference.
The workshop in Hanoi will be held at Sofitel Plaza, #1 Thanh Nien Road on Thursday, September 30 at 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. In Vinh Phuc, the workshop will be held at Vinh Phuc Department for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Viet Xuan Avenue, Dong Da Ward, Vinh Yen City on Friday, October 1 at 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon.
Source: dtinews.vn