PAN Group (including members Vinaseed and VFC) recently signed a cooperation agreement with Agri Smile and Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) to promote sustainable organic agriculture in Vietnam. The signing ceremony took place during the Vietnam-Japan Public-Private Partnership Forum on the afternoon of 4/9 in Japan.

Under the agreement, the parties will collaborate on field trials for rice to evaluate the nutrient absorption and climate resilience of biostimulants (biological preparations that promote growth) developed by Agri Smile.

Tran Duc Thang, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (second from left) and Koizumi Shinjiro, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (center) witnessed the memorandum of understanding between PAN Group, Agri Smile, and Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Tran Duc Thang, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (second from left) and Koizumi Shinjiro, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (center) witnessed the memorandum of understanding between PAN Group, Agri Smile, and Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Vinaseed Research Institute (VRI), a part of Vinaseed, will play a key role in testing the effectiveness of the biostimulants in Vietnam. The combined solutions of seeds from Vinaseed, agricultural chemicals and plant protection from VFC, and biostimulants from Agri Smile will then be transferred to farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

The biostimulants will stimulate natural physiological processes, enhancing nutrient absorption and resilience to adverse conditions (drought, salinity intrusion, pests, etc.). This will reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, increasing both crop yield and quality.

Formed by merging three existing research centers, VRI possesses nearly 50,000 genetic resources, diverse testing grounds, and the vision to become a leading research organization in the region for crop varieties and high-tech agriculture.

The memorandum of understanding also opens opportunities for long-term cooperation between VRI and MRI. MRI is a leading Japanese think tank pioneering innovation and sustainable development globally, with high-tech agriculture as a major priority.

Although the specific details of the collaboration between the two research institutes were not disclosed, the partnership with the Japanese giant affirms the position and prestige of PAN Group and VRI, facilitating knowledge and technology transfer through international cooperation.

Representatives of PAN Group, Vinaseed, and VFC visited and worked with Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Representatives of PAN Group, Vinaseed, and VFC visited and worked with Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Speaking at the forum, Tran Duc Thang, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that developing green agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adapting to climate change are among the six pillars of Vietnam-Japan cooperation in agriculture, especially given the global challenges of climate change, energy crises, and food security.

Koizumi Shinjiro, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, affirmed that the 12 memorandums of cooperation signed during the forum align with the medium and long-term vision for cooperation between the two nations. These agreements promote the application of techniques to increase productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental burdens.

Vietnam and Japan have significant potential to expand cooperation in agriculture and food. Vietnam has a rich and diverse supply of agricultural and aquatic products, while Japan has a high demand for safe, quality food with traceable origins.

Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of PAN Group, shared on the sidelines of the forum. Photo: PAN

Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of PAN Group, shared on the sidelines of the forum. Photo: PAN

Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of PAN Group, shared that Japan is not only an important partner for many Vietnamese businesses but also a place to affirm product quality.

"Cooperation in Japan brings great value to the group, as over 30% of our export revenue comes from the Japanese market, demonstrating that high-quality Vietnamese products are accepted in demanding markets like Japan," My said.

Representatives of PAN Group, Vinaseed, and VFC took a photo at Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Representatives of PAN Group, Vinaseed, and VFC took a photo at Mitsubishi Research Institute. Photo: PAN

Japan is currently a strategic market and the largest export destination for PAN Group. In 2024, PAN achieved consolidated revenue of 16,182 billion VND (approximately 650 million USD), with exports to Japan reaching nearly 100 million USD, accounting for 33% of the group's total export turnover.

Main export items include shrimp, pangasius, grains, dried fruits, confectionery, and flowers. Given the increasing demand for rice in the Japanese market, the company is also promoting its branded packaged rice products in this market.

The Dan