Joe Funk, editor · publisher of Seed Today– since 1987. He has been Seed Today editor since 1998. This is Funk’s fifth report on the international seed industry. Previous reports

Joe Funk, editorJoe Funk was raised on a farm in Central Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in agronomy and agricultural economics.

Joe has been associated with Country Journal Publications– publisher of Seed Today–since 1987. He has been Seed Today editor since 1998.

This is Funk’s fifth report on the international seed industry. Previous reports have come from Argentina, Hungary, South Africa, and Chile.

Why Vietnam?An emerging plan for biotech crops

• 2008: Vietnam announced it is working to develop biotech crops.• 2009: Rice, maize, cotton, soybean, cassava, and potato identified as priority crops for biotech enhancement.• 2010: “controlled practical experiments”• 2012: Biotech planting.

Why a Press Visa?U.S. State Dept.: “We caution

you that Vietnamese immigration regulations require foreigners entering Vietnam to undertake only the activity for which their visas were issued.”

FPC “All journalists coming into Vietnam for reporting purposes must have journalism visa.”

First Impression… Vietnamese Traffic

U.S. State Dept.: “Traffic in Vietnam is chaotic. Traffic accidents occur frequently. The most common victims are motorbike riders and pedestrians.”

Second Impression… the Money

Third Impression…

…The Appearance of Prosperity is a Thin Veneer

Vietnam Vital Stats

• 90.8 million (2011) population• Urbanization: 30% (US 82%)

• Per capita GDP: $3,100 (167)United States 41,200 ( 11)Mexico 13,900 ( 85)China 7,600 (126)Honduras 4,200 (156)India 3,500 (163)

Agenda Highlights

• Arrive Hanoi 10:30 pm April 2, Saturday• Monday USDA-FAS (cancelled)

Deputy Secretary MARD• Tuesday Institute of Biotechnology

University researcher (cancelled)

• Wednesday VSTA Agricultural Genetic Institute

Agenda Highlights

• Thursday Farm visits (cancelled)

Food Crops Research InstituteTo Saigon (Mo Chi Minh City)

• Friday HCM Biotech CenterHigh Tech Park

• Saturday Southern Seed Co. (cancelled) Rice Institute (never materialized)

Deputy Minister MARD

“Just because we export rice does not mean we have ample food.”

Imports virtually all its supply of • Corn• Wheat• Soybean• Cotton• Dairy• Hides

• 60-65 million people live in rural areas• 12-15 million small hand holders with

less than one-quarter acre.

Deputy Minister MARD

“Cannot consolidate farms until there is somewhere for the farmers to earn a living. The big hurdle is rural economic development.”

Compounding Challenges

• Growing population• Growing consumer appetites• Limited cropland• Climate change

• Rising sea level• Drought• Salt soils

The Great Challenge

Provide food security, develop the rural economy, increase high-value exports, and decrease food

imports with very limited resources.

Ho Chi Minh High Tech Park

High Tech Park

“Development of high technology is an inevitable and significant trend.”

But where are the resources...Investors welcome!

Fabric Greenhouse

High Quality, High Value Crops

Orchids

Thousands of Orchids

Tissue Culture

Ho Chi Minh Biotechnology


An expansive research vision:Crop molecular biology laboratoryPlant cell technology laboratoryAquacultural biotechnology laboratoryMicrobial molecular biology laboratoryEnvironmental biotechnology laboratoryImmunology and recombinant vaccine laboratoryPost-harvest technology laboratoryGenomics and proteomics laboratoryNano-biotechnology laboratoryHuman and animal technology laboratoryApplied entomology laboratoryMedical biotechnology laboratory



“We have machines, but no research is possible until we have qualified people.”

Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences

“We must increase corn yields by at least 50%.”

Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Field Crop Research Institute Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences

The uncertain effects of climate change and its impact on future food security can be

found behind all the official mandates and vision statements.

Areomatic Grass

• Arugula• Various lettuces• Lemon grass

Building capacity to increase agricultural production

Vietnam Crop Biotechnology

Joe Funk, editor · publisher of Seed Today– since 1987. He has been Seed Today editor since 1998. This is Funk’s fifth report on the international seed industry. Previous reports

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