Prepared By Nguyễn Thị Trang – PHANO

From March 31st to April 4th, 2025, the Members’ Forum of the Agroecology Transformation Partnership Platform (AE-TPP) took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, with the participation of over 130 delegates from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The forum was hosted by AE-TPP, with ICRAF Vietnam undertaking logistical organization and providing technical support, alongside partners: the ASSET Project (coordinated by CIRAD and GRET), MALICA, the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), and the Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA).

The forum served as a crucial space to foster knowledge sharing, discuss priority directions, and enhance collaboration among research organizations, farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the process of agroecology transformation, towards fair, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

March 31 – Opening Session

Theme: Approaches and modalities for co-creating interdisciplinary knowledge, including capacity development as well as lessons learned from AE-TPP’s ‘doing science differently’ and from field-based action research.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan – Director General of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) emphasized: “Agroecology is a pathway to building sustainable agricultural ecosystems, ensuring livelihoods, and contributing to the transformation of food systems towards transparency, responsibility, and long-term development.”  

The keynote speaker during the opening session was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao The Anh – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who shared insights on the policy landscape for food system transformation in Vietnam, as the nation moves towards sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and food security.

Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Toan, ICD, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) was opening remarks

April 1 – Synthesizing Progress & Future Priorities

Key challenges highlighted included:

• Lack of mechanisms for cross-regional and cross-sectoral knowledge sharing.
• Insufficient long-term resources for agroecology initiatives.
• The gap between research and farmers’ practices.

Mr. Babafemi O. Oyewole (Panafrican Farmers’ Organization – PAFO) affirmed: “Agroecology transformation in Africa requires a holistic approach – from policy, farmer capacity, markets to finance – and a long-term mindset instead of short-term yields.”

ALiSEA contributed ideas on how to improve coordination between research and practice in Southeast Asia through an open network model, co-creation of content, and communication support.

April 2 – Field Visit in Thai Nguyen

Delegates traveled from Hanoi to Thai Nguyen province to witness firsthand the implementation of agroecology models.

The first stop was Dung Tan Farm – a model applying organic agricultural production, growing fruit trees combined with organic vegetables in a circular system. Delegates exchanged with the farm leaders on production processes, quality control standards, and market strategies.

Next, the delegation visited the vermicomposting farm – Junozd farm in Dong Hy district, which applies vermiculture to process agricultural by-products and produce organic fertilizer. This small-scale but innovative and easily replicable model was highly appreciated by many delegates.

April 3 – Policies and Financial Strategies to Operationalize Agroecology

Three keynote presentations:

• Dr. Maria Tirol (ComDev Asia, University of Los Baños, Philippines): shared tools for co-designing communication strategies with farming communities, integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge.
• Ms. Irish Baguilat (AFA): emphasized farmers’ use of Facebook, TikTok, and social media platforms to tell their stories. “We don’t need polished content, but authentic voices – relatable voices.”
• Ms. Marlene Ramirez (AsiaDHRRA): stressed that communication must build trust, long-term relationships, and shift narratives from local realities.

April 4 – ASEAN Policy Dialogue

Theme: Multi-stakeholder and Regional Policy on ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroeoclogy Transition.

The final working day was a policy workshop organized by the ASSET Project, bringing together representatives from government ministries, farmer organizations, researchers, and stakeholders from the ASEAN region to discuss and provide input on the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroeocology Transition.

ALiSEA delivered an important presentation during the workshop on the network’s contributions throughout the policy development process, from the initial research phase to consultations with local communities. The network organized consultation groups in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, providing evidence on practical initiatives and policy recommendations.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Pat Sovan representing Gret/ALiSEA emphasized: “An effective agroecology transition policy not only requires regional consensus but must also stem from the needs and realities of farmers. The role of the network is to ensure that these voices are heard and integrated into the policy.”

The workshop also discussed institutional mechanisms, integration into national and regional strategies, and the potential for technical support from organizations within the ASSET and AE-TPP networks.

The AE-TPP 2025 Members’ Forum was not only a knowledge-sharing event but also a clear demonstration of a systems approach, placing farmers at the center of agroecology transformation. Over five days of vibrant engagement, the forum recorded concrete proposals:

• Strengthening cross-regional and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Redesigning the AE-TPP structure towards a farmer-inclusive “Theory of Change.”
• Promoting farmer-led communication, connecting with rural youth.
• Integrating regional policies with local realities, with the collaboration of networks like ALiSEA.

ALiSEA continues to affirm its role as a multi-stakeholder network, connecting research to practice, field experiences to policy – contributing to a fair and sustainable agroecology transition in Southeast Asia.

You can access the presentations and documents shared during the workshop HERE