By Nguyễn Thị Trang – PHANO
On December 16, 2024, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) convened the Steering Committee Meeting for the Plantwise Program in Vietnam. The event welcomed contributions and experience-sharing from a range of experts and agricultural organizations, including the Plant Protection Department, Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-Departments of Son La, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Lam Dong, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Can Tho University, An Giang University, and ALiSEA Vietnam.
Key Activities and Discussions:
The PlantwisePlus Program:
CABI has developed a network of 5,100 Plant Clinics and trained 13,200 Plant Doctors, implemented in 33 countries and benefiting 54.1 million farmers worldwide, including Vietnam. The program focuses on supporting smallholder farmers to mitigate crop health risks, enhance food security, and promote biodiversity.
Research Support and Online Learning Platform:
CABI has facilitated research and biological trials to improve crop health and environmental sustainability, both in academic institutions and in the field. The initiative also utilizes the CABI Academy’s online learning platform to support this effort: Explore CABI Academy Courses
Highlighted research findings include the identification of the host range of the South American tomato leaf miner (Phthorimaea absoluta), affecting Solanaceae plants like tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and chili peppers…
Capacity Building and Technology Integration:
CABI has supported training programs and the adoption of technologies such as the Crop Sprayer application, which helps control pesticide usage effectively and sustainably.
Proposed Solutions for Smallholder Farmers:
The meeting discussed actionable solutions to address challenges faced by small-scale farmers, including:
- Preventing pest and disease outbreaks.
- Enhancing awareness of safe and correct pesticide usage.
- Promoting knowledge and best practices like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) among agricultural extension officers and service center staff to better support farmers in Son La and other provinces.
Recommendations:
The meeting emphasized strengthening agricultural extension services and public-private partnerships to advance research and provide early warnings for pest and disease risks.
CABI is not just an international research center but also an active contributor to global programs such as One Health and national action plans in Vietnam and other countries worldwide.
Read more about CABI, a member of ALiSEA: https://ali-sea.org/alisea-member/cabi-sea-centre-for-agriculture-and-biosciences-international-south-east-asia/