(VOVworld)- The third General Assembly of the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) met in Hanoi, on Wednesday  attracting representatives from AFACI member countries and international organizations. The event provided an opportunity for member countries to exchange their experiences, promote business cooperation, find ways to improve the productivity and efficiency of food production, protect the environment, increase farmers’ incomes and ensure food security. Nguyen Van Bo is Director of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences: “At this conference, Vietnam wants to promote its achievements in agriculture and share its experiences with other countries. Vietnam also wants to prove its willingness to apply scientific and technological advances to agricultural production, especially since Vietnam and other countries including the Republic of Korea established strategic partnerships”.

Over the past 25 years, Vietnam has made significant agricultural advances becoming a leading exporter of produce including rice, coffee, rubber, cashew nuts, pepper, fruits, paper and tea. In the face of rapid population growth, shrinking farmland, and frequent natural disasters, Vietnam has had no choice but to restructure the agricultural sector, in which science and technology plays a key role.