60% of post-harvest preservation technology is simple

At the discussion “Improving the value of Vietnamese agricultural products through food technology” held in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of October 26, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Electromechanics and Post-harvest Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (VIAEP) said that the manufacturing of machinery , there are not many technology investment units in the application of preservation technology. The application of agricultural product preservation and management systems for high-tech export is still not much.

In fact, since 2010, the Government issued Decision 63 and in 2013, Decision 68 specified policies to support reducing post-harvest losses in agriculture. According to Mr. Tuan, these policies over the years have supported farmers and businesses in purchasing machinery and equipment to mechanize the preservation of agricultural products, helping to reduce losses during post-harvest preservation. . However, access to preferential loans for machinery purchases by agricultural organizations and enterprises is still limited. In addition, preferential loan types for imported machinery and equipment are difficult to meet the needs of producers, especially high-tech products. This comes from the regulation that machinery and equipment must go through an inspection process before being imported before being put into use.

Ms. Pham Thi Hong Hanh, representative of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that reducing carbon loss and emissions from the agricultural sector requires the application of new technology. This is a very important requirement to help management agencies implement the international commitment to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050 (Net Zero target). She said that it is necessary to strengthen coordination with state agencies, businesses, farmers… to apply technology and innovate in the field of processing and post-harvest preservation.

Mr. David Israel, Global Strategy Director of Melbourne University (Australia) admitted that investing in research and application of science and technology in agriculture requires a long time and large capital. He compared this process to going through the “valley of death”, when investor capital declines because they do not see the economic value of research. Therefore, investors need long-term funding and they also need the support of the Government as a partner to share part of the risk.

Citing experience in Australia, Mr. David Israel, universities, investors and the Government will work together on inclusive agricultural projects to solve major problems. Part of the profits from technology are reinvested to solve the next big problems.