03vu-2555 Competitiveness of Horticultural Producers
| budget |
€ 190.922,00 |
status |
finished |
| start date |
01-01-2004 |
date end |
31-12-2005 |
| location |
|
country |
vietnam |
| financer |
AgriCord |
| executor |
Vietnam National Farmers Union |
intervention level |
|
| Programmes |
| 1. Trade Capacity Building | |
| description |
The project was formulated in line with the recommandations of a discussion and workshop organised by the Vietnam Farmers Union (VNFU) and VUSTA concerning WTO and the consequences for the farmers in Vietnam and supported by the agri-agencies Ieder voor Allen and Agriterra (and NGO´s like SNV through the BBO (...more...) |
| description |
The project was formulated in line with the recommandations of a discussion and workshop organised by the Vietnam Farmers Union (VNFU) and VUSTA concerning WTO and the consequences for the farmers in Vietnam and supported by the agri-agencies Ieder voor Allen and Agriterra (and NGO´s like SNV through the BBO Food Consortium). It was concluded that farmers in Vietnam are not yet prepared to compete in international markets due to their lack of knowledge and skills to produce in line with international food safety and quality standards. The current project aims at enhancing the capacities and skills of farmers to maintain international food safety and quality standards through:
formulating and setting out standard protocols for safe and high quality food production.
establishing testing facilities (for crop residues) and making them available for farmers.
Capacity enhancement of farmers through the establishment of demonstration models and (farmer-to farmer) extension programmes.
Dissemination of results on national level through workshops.
The project will in this phase focus on a limited number of horticultural crops and be implemented in two pilot areas. (...less...) |
| results & observations |
RESULTS:
The proposed project aimed at strengthening farmers knowledge concerning farming in line with quality standards common in world markets and making them competitive producers for (liberalised) national and international markets. The project will focussed on the horticultural sector.
After a basic survey and research, 3 areas were selected with focus on (...more...) |
| final results & observations |
RESULTS:
The proposed project aimed at strengthening farmers knowledge concerning farming in line with quality standards common in world markets and making them competitive producers for (liberalised) national and international markets. The project will focussed on the horticultural sector.
After a basic survey and research, 3 areas were selected with focus on 4 products: chilli, lychees, corn and oranges. During winter season the focus changed from lychees to tomatoes. A workshop was organised: " Improving food security and quality of some products of the Vietnam horticultural sector” for which 80 farmers and scientists were invited. Implementing safe production models were set up to help farmers to protect the environment and people's health; to improve the quality of food for customers and to find good markets.
The result of the project are:
improved safety and quality of food production in line with international standards; increased production, economic return in the horticultural sector and farmers income. The marketability of the products increased and according to VNFU the price of the produce within the projects has doubled.
increased knowledge of farmers regarding the importance of safety food for people's health, for the environment and it's impact to our future.
farmers involved in the project have become more interested in the activities of the farmers organisation.
OBSERVATIONS:
It seemed that the choice and selection of products the project focussed on have not been made upon decent analysis of market potentials. As the projects' major aim was to improve quality standards and strive for applying with international standards for food safety and quality as applied for export to Europe / US, project activities did not evolve around products and areas having high potential for these international markets. Although the selection of chilli and lychee seemed in line with aimed project objectives, more market analysis should be have been gathered before and during implementation.
In general there seemed to be little capacity and knowledge available within the VNFU concerning international food quality and safety regulations like MRL's and the implications of complying with those standards for farm management. It was therefore recommended to set up a collaboration with Departments of Health on Provincial level and to request assistance of specialised organisations and also to link the project with existing research initiatives and other relevant development programmes. These elements have not been mentioned in the final report. Agriterra has given technical support to the project through a mission of a horticultural expert from the Netherlands.
It was reported that farmer groups have been set up, and training of trainers took place.
PERSPECTIVES:
The final recommendation is to be considered: Collaboration between several Dutch agencies (donor agencies, research institutes, development agencies) in supporting programmes for Producers Organisations (PO’s) like the VNFU can be framed within AgriProFocus. Communication with VNFU has not been optimal. Therefore continuation of this project has not been recommended by the project department of Agriterra. (...less...) |
| specialisms |
| Market and chain development | Market gardening | Training | |
PROPOSAL
| Agri-agency | Own contribution executor | Other parties | Total requested budget |
|---|
| AgriCord | VNFU | | |
| € 0,00 + € 0,00 | € 0,00 | € 0,00 | € 0,00 |
GOALS
| Improving safety & food quality management in horticulture in line with international standards. |
| Increasing economic returns in the horticultural sector and farmers income. |
| Enhancing competitiveness of the horticultural sector in Vietnam. |
| Establishing testing facilities for food safety. |
