How we contribute to ensure sustainable farming in rural areas of Vietnam
“ By working on fruit traceability, we promote sustainable agriculture. We use both traditional and scientific knowledge to enhance the health of the agricultural system in Vietnam.”
More severe flooding and the resulting salinisation of the land are making fruit cultivation in the Mekong Delta increasingly unprofitable. More and more smallholders are therefore giving up their land and moving to the cities. To counter the rural exodus and make fruit production in the region more profitable for Les Vergers du Mékong Ltd. (Les Vergers), the company has developed new cultivation areas in the northern Mekong Delta within the framework of the develoPPP-programme funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, BMZ). The measure has allowed close to 2,000 small farmers in Vietnam to significantly improve their income. Les Vergers succeeded in establishing more reliable supply chains for the cultivation of pineapple, guava and other fruit varieties, increasing its productivity and thus expanding its competitiveness. The develoPPP project was carried out by DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.
The challenge
The consequences of climate change in the Mekong Delta are leading to rising sea levels, more frequent flooding and increasing salinisation of the land, which is deteriorating the conditions for rice and fruit cultivation in the region. Because of a lack of economic prospects, more and more young farmers are migrating to the cities. Local fruit producers such as Les Vergers are seeing their supply chains threatened. The challenge is to shift fruit cultivation further inland, where there are more freshwater resources. In addition, the cultivation of pineapple, guava and other fruit varieties, which promise a significantly higher income compared to rice cultivation, is to be promoted in areas where rice has been predominantly planted until now. This improves the economic prospects of small farmers in rural areas. Les Vergers benefits from the establishment of reliable supply chains with high-quality products. This allows it to respond to the increased demand in the region and to further expand its processing capacities.
Project approach
In order to improve the income and yields of fruit farmers and establish a reliable supply chain with high-quality products, the project partners implemented the following measures between 2016 and 2019 as part of develoPPP in Vietnam, with a total budget of close to 400,000 euros:
Training programmes for 50 fruit farmers in agro-economics (including crop selection, use of organic fertiliser)
Establishment of fruit collection points to improve logistics
Introduction of a transparent traceability system (WeTrace App) to 755 fruit farmers
Support for Vietgap certification.
Les Vergers contributed its expertise in establishing international supply chains in agro-economy as part of the project. DEG provided advice with experts on site.
“ By working on fruit traceability, we promote sustainable agriculture. We use both traditional and scientific knowledge to enhance the health of the agricultural system in Vietnam.”
