Project 07vu-5002 - agro-info

07vu-5002 Building the capacity of VNFU for the development of Agro-tourism

budget	€ 449.003,01	status	execution
start date	01-01-2007	date end	31-12-2010
location		country	vietnam
financer	Agriterra
executor	Vietnam National Farmers Union	intervention level	sub-national
Programmes	\| work area 16: Diversification in agriculture (rural non-farm economic activities) \| IFAP 03: Enhance capacity of farmers' organisations \|
description	Over the past few years, tourism has been rapidly developing in Vietnam, contributing to the development of the national and local economies as well as providing opportunities for the participation and benefit of local communities. After carrying out a joint identification mission to 3 selected provinces in Vietnam - An (...more...)
description	Over the past few years, tourism has been rapidly developing in Vietnam, contributing to the development of the national and local economies as well as providing opportunities for the participation and benefit of local communities. After carrying out a joint identification mission to 3 selected provinces in Vietnam - An Giang, Tien Giang and Lao Cai - VNFU formulated a 3 year proposal, in cooperation with Agriterra and SNV, with the objective of building the agro-tourism business and aiming at poverty reduction. In 2006 the project focused mainly on institutional development and awareness raising activities. In 2007-2008 product development and business promotion will be conducted. As a vulnerable group of society, women at grassroots level will certainly have great advantages to take part actively in this project. Women play a crucial role in supplying labor to a wide range of services supplying the tourism industry in Vietnam. The project shall adopt a pro-active strategy to foster the participation of women and other vulnerable groups of society such as ethnic minorities. The project will target a minimum of 50% participation of women in all training and capacity building activities. (...less...)
results & observations	During project implementation, most of the project activities have been carried out as planned except the study-tours oversea postponed as suggested by Agriterra. Some major achievements in the years of implementation of the project are as follows: - Project staff and VNFU relevant staff at all levels obtained enhanced awareness, knowledge of (...more...)
final results & observations	During project implementation, most of the project activities have been carried out as planned except the study-tours oversea postponed as suggested by Agriterra. Some major achievements in the years of implementation of the project are as follows: - Project staff and VNFU relevant staff at all levels obtained enhanced awareness, knowledge of agricultural tourism development, managerial and marketing skills, English, communication skills, - 6 FIGs (Farmers' Interest Group), each group consists of 15-20 members, were established in 6 tourism sites in 3 project provinces: Lao Cai, An Giang and Tien Giang. The FIG members were provided with basic knowledge of agro-tourism, farming techniques on some major plants and animals, handicraft skills, communication skills, cooking skills,... - Some community and private tourism facilities were newly built and upgraded to be able to serve tourists. - The tourism business plan of Colecto 2009 - 2011 was formulated. Some main conclusions were drawn from 2 years implementation of the project as follows: - The project were actively supported and facilitated by VNFU at all levels and local authorities in the project areas. Farmers are really interested in the participation in the project to develop agro-tourism activities, exploit local potentials, create jobs, generate income and improve their living conditions. - Agricultural tourism business is new for Colecto as well as VNFU staffs at all levels, therefore, it requires a certain amount of time and investment to raise their awareness, knowledge and skills in agro-tourism development. - English, communication skills, managerial and marketing skills of Colecto staffs, VNFU staffs at all levels; FIG members remained poor though they already received some training. It should be further improved. - Some community and private tourism facilities were built and upgraded, but not yet fully exploited as it is necessary to implement some relevant and supportive activities such as marketing, partnership building, and benefit sharing mechanism, After the end of the second year of the project, early 2009, Agriterra sent Ms. Jeannette Van Rijsoort, Agriterra expert to conduct the evaluation of the project and advised on the adjustments of the project work plan and Colecto tourism business plan 2009 - 2011 in accordance with the actual situation. With the active and efficient support of Ms.Jeannette Van Rijsoort and local consultants, the project work plan and Colecto tourism business plan were approved by Agriterra and VNFU. (...less...)
specialisms	\| Gender \| Internal organisational strengthening \|

	APPLICATION
	APPLICATION

	DEFINITION
	DEFINITION

	EXECUTION
	EXECUTION

	RESULTS
	RESULTS

	PROGRESS
	PROGRESS

	RELATIONS
	RELATIONS

PROPOSAL

Agri-agency	Own contribution executor	Other parties	Total requested budget
Agriterra	VNFU
€ 0,00 + € 0,00	€ 0,00	€ 0,00	€ 0,00

This project is a continuation of a cooperation between Agriterra, SNV and VNFU (05at-3827), which started in April 2006. A three year proposal was formulated in 2006 with the objective of building the agro-tourism business development capacity aiming at pverty reduction through VNFU lead agro-tourism development in Vietnam.
VNFU has a nationwide member network and advocacy of VNFU's management takes place at all levels. SNV provides, with its local presence, knowledge as well as strong linkages with stakeholders both in the country and overseas. These factors are likely to contribute to the success and sustainablility of the project.

Actual activities until then end of March 2007 included:
INCEPTION
- Approval of final project by Vietnam National Farmers Union and appointment of the Executing agency (COLECTO) and the National Project Director, Mr. Nguyen Quoc An and the National Project Vice-Director, Mr.Hoang Pho Dan.
- Establishment of the Project Management Unit at COLECTO, operating under the National Project director or the Project Vice-Director.
- Establishment of the Project Advisory Committee chaired by the 1st Vice-chairman of Vietnam National Farmers Union, Mr. Le Hoang Minh.
- Formalisation of agreements between VNFU and COLECTO and SNV Vietnam for the provision of Technical Assistance to the PMU.
ORGANISATIONAL
- Establishment of Project Management Units at Provincial level in Lao Cai, An Giang and Tien Giang;
- Hold one meeting of the Project Advisory Committee on October 18, 2006;
- Hold one Project Review meeting (PMU + Chairman of the PAC) on February 6, 2007;
- TORs for all activities -training courses and consultancies- were prepared prior to the start of each activity;
- “Hands on” training was provided regularly by SNV advisors.
CAPACITY BUILDING:
- Agro-tourism awareness workshops held on September 25-27 September 2006 in Hanoi;
- Site Identification community consultation mission to Lao Cai, An Giang and Tien Giang on November and December 2006;
- Market survey on tourists and tour operators undertaken from December 06 to March 07;
- Site design and planning mission (Started in March 07 and will last till May 07)

Most important results:
- Improvement in rural tourism knowledge & awareness among COLECTO and the Provincial Farmers Union;
- Increased FU commitment to agro-tourism
- Very valuable information was obtained from the Market survey which will help plan better economic initiatives for the benefit of farmers;

GOALS

Building agro-toursim business management capacity of VNFU
Poverty reduction and local community development
Diversification of rural torusm products
Establish an effective gender balance policy

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