Vietnamese Delegation Visits Colombia to Strengthen Scientific and Agro-industrial Cooperation Aimed at Boosting Rice and Cashew Production

Mosquera, Cundinamarca. October 9, 2025. As part of the scientific and technological cooperation project between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) and Corporación colombiana de investigación agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), with the support of APC-Colombia and the Embassy of Colombia in Vietnam, a technical mission was carried out to strengthen research and technology transfer capabilities in rice and cashew production systems.

Over five days, from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the VAAS delegation visited the Tibaitatá (Mosquera), La Libertad (Villavicencio), and Nataima (El Espinal, Tolima) Research Centers, where they observed firsthand AGROSAVIA’s scientific capabilities, technological infrastructure, and work lines developed in support of the Colombian agricultural sector.

The technical agenda began at the Tibaitatá Research Center, AGROSAVIA’s main headquarters, where Executive Director Miguel Serrano López welcomed the mission, highlighting the strategic importance of South–South cooperation in building a more efficient and climate-resilient agriculture. During this session, Colombian researchers presented the main lines of research as well as the specialized laboratories that support these areas.

Subsequently, at the La Libertad Research Center, the delegation learned about AGROSAVIA’s advances in technological innovation and sustainability for rice and cashew production systems. Technical presentations and a knowledge exchange workshop with producers and extension agents were held, sharing experiences, identifying common challenges, and exploring joint research opportunities in agronomic management, fertilization, pest control, and agro-industrial use of cashew.

The visit concluded at the Nataima Research Center, where AGROSAVIA and VAAS researchers exchanged knowledge primarily on the rice production system. In addition, the delegation toured germplasm banks, specialized laboratories, and the Water Resources Center of Fedearroz, where successful practices in efficient water use and sustainable seed production were presented. The group also visited the company Serviarroz, which shared its experience in designation of origin and traceability in the rice value chain.

This technical mission, which strengthened institutional and scientific relations between Colombia and Vietnam, served as an ideal platform for AGROSAVIA and VAAS to reaffirm their commitment to cooperation in strengthening international agricultural science, promoting a sustainable and inclusive agro-industry, and fostering South–South cooperation as a mechanism for shared development.