“Agriculture is central to Afghanistan’s social and economic development, with the sector employing two-thirds of the country’s national workforce and contributing 21.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017,” said ADB Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist Mr. Bui Minh Giap. “A major contributor to the sector is horticulture, with crops generating over USD1.4 billion annually representing 34% of agriculture’s total GDP. Supporting horticulture value chains will further boost the subsector’s contribution to the country’s development.”Agriculture is central to Afghanistan’s social and economic development, with the sector employing two-thirds of the country’s national workforce and contributing 21.9% of GDP in 2017. (Source: ADB)The Horticulture Value Chain Development Sector Project will improve agricultural productivity and food security in Afghanistan, while helping promote business linkages between … [Read more...] about Afghanistan develops horticulture value chains
Agricultural value chain finance
Lao PDR develops sustainable and climate-smart agriculture value…
The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of Finance Ms. Thipphakone Chanthavongsa and ADB Country Director to the Lao PDR Mr. Yasushi Negishi. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other line ministries also witnessed the signing ceremony in Vientiane.“Agriculture makes up a significant portion of the Lao PDR economy but the sector’s vulnerability to climate change threatened by floods and droughts puts the country’s development prospect and food security at risk,” said Mr. Negishi. “This project realizes a joint effort between the Government of the Lao PDR and ADB to tackle the challenge in order to make the country’s agricultural production more commercialized, sustainable, and climate-resilient, while promoting regional integration, cooperation, and the competitiveness of agribusiness value chains to support the country’s economic development.”Lao PDR Deputy Minister of Finance Ms. Thipphakone … [Read more...] about Lao PDR develops sustainable and climate-smart agriculture value…
Developing value chains to connect Vietnamese and Brazilian businesses
Vietnam–Brazil Investment and Trade Forum chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang, chairman of Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce Roberto Ticoulat and chairwoman of Brazil's Committee of Export and Import Rita Campagnoli The Vietnam-Brazil Investment and Trade Forum took place on July 3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the largest finance-economy centre in the South Americas. With the participation of over 200 representatives, this was the biggest economic event between the two countries in Brazil during the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue to Brazil. In order to strengthen relations on economics, trade, and investment between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue proposed the two sides to strengthen communication on investment policies, priority sectors for co-operation (especially agriculture), as well as carry out co-operation programmes for businesses of the two countries to … [Read more...] about Developing value chains to connect Vietnamese and Brazilian businesses
PM vows best environment for agriculture, rural development
While highlighting the outstanding achievements of the agricultural sector in recent years, the PM said many questions remain unanswered, such as why 70 percent of the nation’s population live in rural areas and account for 43 percent of the workforce but contribute just 18 percent o the national GDP. He said the Government and the people should join hands to remove difficulties for the development of agriculture and rural areas. Addressing a farmer’s question on the repeated problem of dropping prices when there is bumper harvest, PM Phuc said while the government has strived to seek markets for Vietnamese farm produce for many years, farmers and firms should adjust production in accordance with market needs. “Before sowing, farmers must think how much they will produce and to whom they will sell the products,” the PM said. At the same time, he underlined the importance of the processing industry, and urged that firms would actively build … [Read more...] about PM vows best environment for agriculture, rural development
20,000 farmers to enjoy $163 million sustainability financing
The project is ADB’s first non-sovereign assistance directly co-financed by JICA, which will lend $75 million to Café Outspan Vietnam Limited (COVL) and farmers to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. Coffee is one of the key agriculture export items of Vietnam The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have just signed $163-million loan agreements with Olam International Limited (OIL) and Café Outspan Vietnam Limited (COVL), a subsidiary of OIL. The loans will help improve inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains, directly benefiting up to 20,000 smallholder farmers in Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Timor-Leste. ADB’s assistance includes an $83 million loan to OIL and a $5 million loan to COVL. The project is ADB’s first non-sovereign assistance directly co-financed by JICA, which will lend $75 million to COVL. “Developing formal value chains is … [Read more...] about 20,000 farmers to enjoy $163 million sustainability financing