Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Mitra Innovation consults VCCI to contribute to developmen­t of Agritech in Vietnam

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British trade delegates and founders of Mitra Innovation, Mitra Innovation Managing Director Dammika Ganegama and Mitra Innovation CEO Dr. Ashok Suppiah met with leaders of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) - Nguyen Van Hai - Deputy Director General Internatio­nal Relations Department VCCI, and Dr. Doan Duy Khuong - Vice Executive President of the VCCI.

Mitra Innovation founders and VCCI leaders discussed alliances between the VCCI and Mitra Innovation in the developmen­t and delivery of modern day computing technology - to assist in the upliftment of urban and rural agricultur­e.the novel technology concept - termed Agritech - is aimed at employing invaluable cloud computing, internet of things, data lakes and predictive analytics to deliver real value for farmers in the management of crops, overall food security of the nation and increase crop yield.

Vietnam is one the fastest growing economies in the world today. With the South China Sea to its western and south western borders, Vietnam enjoys friendly relations with neighbouri­ng Laos, Cambodia and China. Vietnam is home to over nearly 97 million people and boasts a steady seven percent GDP growth rate over the past few years.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes business alliances between countries. During the meeting with the Vice President of VCCI, Mitra Innovation founders discussed the steady improvemen­t of trade between England, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The VCCI will explore pathways to bringing Mitra Innovation’s ICT innovation expertise to Vietnamese farmers and agricultur­al industry, and will foster alliances with local Vietnamese partners.

The VCCI also expressed their intentions to invest in education, infrastruc­ture and welfare and were seeking assistance in technologi­es relating to farming and agricultur­e. Both parties talked about implementi­ng advanced modern technologi­es for the further improvemen­t of Vietnam’s agricultur­al industries.

Vietnam is considered one of the most picturesqu­e countries and is considered a highly fertile land source for crops such as rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, nuts, banana, coconut, citrus, coffee, tea, rubber and a variety of fruit produce such as banana, orange, mango, jack fruit too are easily found on the tropical nation.

Vietnamese farmers also cultivate arca palms, betel peppers and mulberry bushes - for the production of silk. Vietnam exports produce of the rich seas that borders the nation. Major seafood exports are shrimp, squid, crab and lobster. There are also a number of freshwater fisheries and commercial shrimp farms to Vietnam’s advantage.

During the meeting, Mitra Innovation founders discussed the possibilit­ies that Mitra Innovation can help Vietnamese farmers and agricultur­e. Ashok Suppiah said: “With the availabili­ty of modern cloud computing technologi­es, it is possible to create and implement intelligen­t farming solutions - consisting of sensors - that can help farmers by detecting and recommendi­ng early preventive action against pests in the soil, or even prevent the spread of infectious diseases in livestock by analysing samples and recommendi­ng prescripti­ve actions.” vietnam is one of the top three global coffee exporters, with tea and rubber production also being major export revenue earners to the country.

Dammika Ganegama said: “We are delighted to meet with the VCCI and are looking to share our innovative ICT knowledge with farming communitie­s in Vietnam. We hope to bring Agritech to Vietnam in a consolidat­ed effort to improve food security to the nation, improve harvests and establish agricultur­e and fisheries as a major export earner to Vietnam. Mitra Innovation looks forward to working with the Government of Vietnam in the innovation­s and agricultur­al spaces.”

 ??  ?? From left: VCCI General Internatio­nal Relations Department Deputy Director Nguyen Van Hai, Mitra Innovation CEO Dr. Ashok Suppiah, VCCI Vice Executive President Dr. Doan Duy Khuong and Mitra Innovation Managing Director Dammika Ganegama
From left: VCCI General Internatio­nal Relations Department Deputy Director Nguyen Van Hai, Mitra Innovation CEO Dr. Ashok Suppiah, VCCI Vice Executive President Dr. Doan Duy Khuong and Mitra Innovation Managing Director Dammika Ganegama

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