Lai Chau Province, Viet Nam. FAO has joined hands with key stakeholders to support ongoing efforts for sustainable transformation of agri-food systems in the northern mountainous region of Viet Nam.

FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Lai Chau Provincial People’s Committee, organized a workshop to introduce the new “National Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050”, and mobilize resources for the development of sustainable agri-food systems in the northern mountainous provinces.

Workshop participants – from FAO Viet Nam, MARD, international partners, national institutes and provincial and district representatives – focused on the implementation of National Target Plans in the Northern Mountainous Region, National Strategy for Socio-economic Development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas as well as the National Strategy for Sustainable Poverty Reduction 2021-2025.

“Achieving sustainable agri-food systems requires the development of strategies that make wise choices. In this connection, I am very delighted to note the convergence of views between the National Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development and FAO’s vision on sustainable agri-food systems,” said Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative in Viet Nam.
The workshop distilled a number of important points which will contribute to the development of appropriate strategies and approaches to realize the National Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development’s implementation in different contexts and scales, with a focus on the northern mountainous region.

The strategy’s key objectives include ensuring sustainable, agri-food systems that meet the needs of present and future generations for their products and services, while ensuring profitability, environmental health, and social and economic equity. As agriculture depends on the services provided by ecosystems, sustainable agri-food systems must minimize negative impacts on the environment while optimizing production by protecting, conserving and enhancing natural resources and using them efficiently.

“In Viet Nam, it is now time to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience acquired through these programmes to develop a common vision and an integrated approach to sustainability across agriculture, forestry and fisheries. I strongly believe that working and sharing together, Viet Nam can accelerate the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind,” said Rémi Nono Womdim.