The North-West region of Viet Nam, Son La Province in particular, is blessed with its natural elements of being able to farm on and off-season vegetables and fruits throughout the year thanks to its various climates and specific soil. However, many farmers in this region focus on harvesting rice, corn and cassava, bringing them lower economic benefits and one of the highest poverty rates in the region.

Recognizing this strong potential to improve food security and farmers’ earnings at the same time, FAO Viet Nam joined hands with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), People’s Committee of Son La province and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Viet Nam and organized a 2-day workshop ‘Farmer organization and market linkages in the value chain for the production of safe vegetables and fruit in the northwest region’ in Moc Chau, Son La Province to create a platform for stakeholders to have an open discussion and seek ways for further improvement.

During the workshop, participants exchanged and discussed experiences, ideas and analysis to give solutions and directions for key changes and adjustments in mechanisms and policies to orient long-term strategy in developing the production region for safe vegetables and fruit. Various participants with different backgrounds joined the talks, ranging from representatives of International Organizations, MARD agencies, private sector, provincial departments and the national mass media agencies, enabling a fruitful analysis including the needs and lessons learned from all levels of participants. 

Under UN joint programme to support to the National Target Programme on the New Rural Development, with a view to promote mutual interests and cooperation in the new phase of National Target Program, FAO Viet Nam, UNIDO Viet Nam and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) signed an Aide Memoire with Son La People’s Committee during the workshop to keep their commitment and to support the Central government and local provinces. Through this Aide Memoire, it will provide a basis to explore opportunities to formulate joint activities to support the quality improvement and supply capacity of key agricultural commodities including vegetables and fruits by applying proper technologies along the value chain and to strengthen the capacity of agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ groups of Son La province.

“After participating in this platform of rich discussion, we were able to witness the efforts from all levels of stakeholders in order to move forward in Viet Nam’s food security and the improvement of farmers’ income. On this occasion, I would like to reaffirm our technical assistance in the future to MARD and Son La People’s Committee.” said Jong Ha Bae, the FAO Representative in Viet Nam.