PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) receives Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Robert S. Zeigler, Ha Noi, February 25, 2013 – Photo:VGP/Nhat Bac

PM Dung stated that up to 80% of high-yield rice species cultivated in the Mekong Delta are results of cooperation between Viet Nam and IRRI.

He also highly appreciated the Institute’s assistance for Viet Nam in improving rice cultivation and training professionals in this field.

Viet Nam desires to further coordinate with IRRI in the future, said the Government chief, expressing his hope that the two sides will find new species which can stand for climate change and sea-level rising as well as that IRIR can create favorable conditions for Vietnamese specialists to work there.

Mr. Robert S.Zeigler applauded achievements of Viet Nam in agricultural development, adding that the country’s policies for agricultural development are strategic and feasible.

He confirmed that IRRI will closely cooperate with Viet Nam in this field in the future.

By Thuy Dung