Annually, agricultural production in countries across South East Asia, especially of rice and palm oil, is negatively impacted by rat predation. Rats generally cause chronic losses to Viet Nam rice crops of between 5-10% per annum. In 2015-2016 alone, Viet Nam lost 20% of its young rice crop due to native ‘rice’ rats. Climate-change related droughts have caused the rat population to increase and, as a result, rice crops are suffering more damage.

In addition, the efficacy of traditional rat pesticides is declining worldwide. Anticoagulant resistance has been recorded within pest populations in several countries. Chemical residues from traditional pesticides contaminate the environment and threaten human, animal and plant health. Environmental contamination impacts rice crop yield and quality, negating the positive impacts of pest control efforts and contributing to food insecurity and poverty.

Speaking at a commemorative event, Dr. Hoang Trung, Director General of the Plant and Protection Department said: “The establishment of this unique research with New Zealand is very meaningful given the fact that the Plant Protection Department is the first in the world to have completed comprehensive DR8 oral gavage and enclosure trials with different forms of rat baits and on key rat species.”

Ambassador Wendy Matthews welcomed this research cooperation: “New Zealand is a world leader in agriculture sciences, and we are committed to supporting scientific capability and agriculture innovation globally. We are delighted to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to further enhance agriculture cooperation between our countries and to support Vietnam to develop sustainable agriculture industries.”