Conference enhances links among Asian- Pacific farmers

Photo: VGP

The event attracted 50 delegates from 15 countries participating in MTCP2 and representatives from international organizations and donors.

MTCP aims to enhance capacity for disadvantaged people in rural areas and  farmer organizations' participation in activities and policy dialogues.

MTCP was initiated by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the Global Farmer’s Forum in 2006 in Italy, recognizing the key role of farmers and farmer organizations in producing food for the world’s population.

In Asia-Pacific, over 80% of people’ food is produced by farmers at small scale and through family farming.

At the conference, Vice President of the Viet Nam Farmer Union (VNFU) stated that as a member of the program, the VNFU has implemented numerous activities to help Vietnamese farmers improve productivity and quality in agricultural production through such movements as the building of new style rural areas, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in a sustainable manner and socio-economic development.

The VNFU has also developed cooperative programs with other countries and with several programs of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Viet Nam.

At the opening ceremony, the program’s director, Benoie, said that the MTCP2 will be funded with US$3 million by the European Commission and the IFAD.

                                                                                                                    By Vien Nhu