Title of document: Toward a sustainable food system and agroecology transition in Vietnam Authors/editor: The Anh Dao, Ngoc Mai Nguyen Journal’s name if any: VMOST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: VAAS Year of publication: 2023 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: agroecology, food system, sustainable, Vietnam) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Vietnam seeks to accelerate agricultural restructuring and develop modernity-oriented agriculture, improve the resilience and adaptability of the agricultural sector against climate change, and align this sector with the processing industry, markets, export activities, and global value chains. Vietnam is also committed to transforming its food systems into green, sustainable, low-emission agriculture and agroecological production. Vietnam wishes to become a Food Innovation Hub of Asia and to achieve nutrition security in 2030. A National Action Plan for a sustainable food system will be built.   Read More

Title of document: Indigenous knowledge and the enhancement of community resilience to climate change in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam Authors/editor: Ho Ngoc Son, Aaron Kingsbury & Ha Thi Hoa Journal’s name if any: www.tandfonline.com Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agriculture and Forestry Research & Development Centre for Mountainous Region (ADC), Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Quyet Thang Commune, Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam; Arts and Sciences, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME, USA Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2020.1829777 Summary: Over centuries, ethnic minority communities in the north of Vietnam have developed complex farming systems well-adapted to their environments. Much of this is based on indigenous knowledge concerned with adapting to locally-available resources and more recently enhancing resiliency to climatic risk. This article draws from data gathered with mixed qualitative methods in ten villages in rural Bac Kan Province in the north of the country. It documents specific examples in the production of banana and medicinal plants; maize and red peanut; taro, pachyrhizus, and maize; and green bean as systems that incorporate native crops in ways that provide resistance to drought, improve water-use efficiency, benefit the soil, minimize agrochemical use, preserve culinary traditions, support gender equality, and increase the incomes of farm families living near the poverty line. Overall, this study illustrates unique ways that indigenous knowledge and agroecological farming practices can increase social, economic, and environmental resiliency, mitigate risk, and strengthen livelihoods in marginalized communities. As communities across the Global South seek answers to ever increasing challenges brought by changes in climate, this paper argues that policymakers should revisit, support, and promote the indigenous knowledge already present in these communities to advance more sustainable futures.   Read More

Title of document: Analysis of agroecological transition at the national level the emergence and institutionalization of agroecology in Viet Nam Authors/editor: Hoang Thanh Tung Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: TAFS Project Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: The Agroecological Transition Policies in Viet Nam; Solutions to facilitate sustainable agroecology transition in Viet Nam…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The main objective of this study is to document what agroecology means in Vietnam and its degree of institutionalization in the existing policy framework. The study analyses the processes related to the emergence of agroecology in Vietnam, and the role played by different stakeholders in the public debate, which refers to the first step of the TAFS project (see figure p. 2). The review focuses on the last 10-15 years, when agroecology has emerged internationally in the policy debate within the preparation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This investigation will make possible to draw out the issues (challenges, themes, methods) surrounding the conceptualization and implementation of agroecological policies in the country.   Read More

Title of document: ALiSEA National Board of Members introduction in Vietnam Authors/editor: ALiSEA, PHANO, NOMAFSI, CISDOMA, RCRD, CARES Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: ALiSEA BoM Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: A significant milestone in the history of ALiSEA Network was reached towards an autonomous member-managed network with the creation of the National ALiSEA Board of Members in three countries: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam! The National ALiSEA Board of Members (BoM) will play a key role in supporting the network structuration, shaping its governance, building a shared vision among members and developing national strategy and action plan… This presentation is for the online meeting “ALiSEA National Board of Members in Vietnam - Introduction Session” 6 May 2021. You can read the full article here.   Read More

Title of document: Seasonal organic rice revival in Mekong Delta Authors/editor: Dr. Nguyen Van Kien Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: The Saigon Times Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://en.thesaigontimes.vn/tinbaichitiet/80949/?fbclid=IwAR31-rjqmkl3LhN3yxLXP8VdjkJykpu-xjIrueD0-KcJCH5yc3yXb4FBpA0 Summary: According to the analysis by QY Research published in 2020, the total value of global organic rice exports in 2018 was US$1.5 billion. The figure was forecast to increase 9% in the period 2019-2025 and reach US$2.78 billion by 2025. In Vietnam, seasonal organic rice, which has been seemingly extinct after some time, is gradually reviving and proving its outstanding value to farmers and the ecology. In 2020, the Mekong Delta had over 1,400 hectares of rice in the provinces of Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Kien Giang and Vinh Long which were certified up to the international organic standards (USDA/EU/JAS—U.S. Department of Agriculture/European Union/Japanese Agricultural Standards). Ca Mau had the largest area of organic rice-shrimp production. Meanwhile, the seasonal rice, the kind of seasonal floating rice grown without chemicals likely to be converted to organic certified rice, has begun to revive on the delta soil…   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and a World Bank trust fund. Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry were adopted by ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in October 2018 and were developed in response to a decision by that same group the year prior. The guidelines have as their main objective the promotion of responsible regional investment in food, agriculture and forestry that ensures economic development, while also incorporating and reflecting the diverse circumstances of different ASEAN member states. Ensuring responsible investment in these sectors will be key in meeting the food safety and security needs of the growing population of the Southeast Asian region. The guidelines are grounded in the Committee on World Security’s Principles for Responsible Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). They were developed through a multi-stakeholder process involving the ASEAN Secretariat, Grow Asia, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and a World Bank trust fund.   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Action Plan on Fall Armyworm Control Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2018 in Thailand and Myanmar. It has since rapidly spread, and its presence is now confirmed in almost all ASEAN countries. The pest, which feeds on more than 350 plant species, can cause major damage, particularly to maize crops. Now it is endemic in the region, management will need to be focused on control rather than eradication. The impact of the Fall Armyworm’s presence in the ASEAN region will be considerable. Estimates using 10% crop damage across ASEAN maize crops indicates an annual US$884 million cost. Both in lost farmer income and as buyers are forced to import maize. ASEAN farmers are in urgent need of effective, locally valid and regionally relevant management solutions. Appropriate, cost-effective and practical integrated pest management (IPM) methods also wait to be developed, validated, promoted and/or scaled up.   Read More

Title of document: Accompanying the Agro-ecological Transition in Southeast Asia 2015 - 2019 Authors/editor: Catherine Marquié, Lucie Reynaud    Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CIRAD, GRET, AFD Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: South East Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Final report for ACTAE regional project. The ACTAE regional project aims at promoting sustainable agriculture based on agroecology principles and practices in GMS - countries: mainly Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The overall objective of ACTAE project is to build durable and effective mechanisms to facilitate synergies among initiatives contributing to an agro-ecological transition in South East Asia.   Read More

Title of document: Chickenponics Authors/editor: CARES Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CARES, ALiSEA Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues / topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Chickenponics a new initiative small & medium scale integrated farming system Funded by ALiSEA Network - GRET/AFD and implemented by CARES Watching this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k6SE6E2o6U&t=245s   Read More

Title of document: Report on - Workshop on Applying Pesticide and Chemical Fertilizer use in Lai Chau Province, Vietnam Authors/editor: Truong Khanh Tan Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: An Giang University, ALiSEA Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Vietnam Main issues / topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The report for “Workshop on Applying Pesticide and Chemical Fertilizer use in Lai Chau Province, Vietnam”, on 27 February 2019.   Read More