On April 21, 2025, the Ben Tre Department of Science and Technology welcomed a delegation from Tra Vinh University to discuss development strategies for the coconut industry, a key economic sector in the Mekong Delta region.
During the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Vu, Head of Science Management at Ben Tre’s Department of Science and Technology, presented an overview of the province’s coconut industry and proposed priority research directions to enhance productivity, quality, and value across the coconut product chain.
Mr. Lam Van Tan, Director of Ben Tre’s Department of Science and Technology, emphasized the significant potential for collaboration between Tra Vinh University and local authorities, particularly with regions specializing in coconut production.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Thanh Tung, Vice Rector of Tra Vinh University, introduced the university and highlighted the development potential of the Mekong Delta Coconut Institute at Tra Vinh University, which focuses on modern research aligned with sustainable development trends and high-tech agricultural applications.
Mr. Cao Ba Dang Khoa, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Coconut Association, praised the institute’s role, noting that its establishment marks a significant advancement for Vietnam’s coconut industry, especially amid deepening international integration.
Mr. Huynh Quang Duc, Deputy Director of Ben Tre’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized research priorities including coconut variety diversification, sustainable cultivation techniques, post-harvest processing, and circular economy approaches for by-products to meet market demands.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Thai Hung, Deputy Director of Tra Vinh’s Department of Science and Technology, acknowledged Tra Vinh University’s recent research achievements and encouraged the university to expand research in areas with current gaps, particularly practical applications for local communities. The meeting concluded with expectations for extensive collaboration opportunities between Tra Vinh University and various organizations in research, technology transfer, and coconut industry development, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in the region.
The event featured participation from representatives of various departments from both provinces and included a commemorative photo session of all delegates.
Photos from the working session:
Hieu Nhan
