In Vietnam, although agroecology has been included in policies and pilot models, its scale and scope of development are still limited compared to its potential. Current models are mainly small-scale or concentrated in specific regions, and they have not yet spread widely across the country. To promote the development of agroecology, Vietnam needs to learn from and flexibly apply the principles and experiences of countries that have succeeded in this field. This includes improving support policies, encouraging scientific research and technological innovation, and developing production models based on the principle of ecological balance.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam and Mr. Tran Cong Thang Co-Chair the Forum

As part of implementing the policy towards ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and cultured farmers as outlined in the 13th National Party Congress, responding to the requirements to accelerate the restructuring of agriculture towards agroecology under Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW, and promoting the goal of developing the agricultural economy towards agroecology according to the Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, the Policy Forum “Agroecology – Experiences from Partners and Implementation in Vietnam” was organized and chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on December 10, 2024.

At the forum, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam and Mr. Tran Cong Thang, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), co-chaired the sessions. The forum attracted a large number of leading experts and scientists in the field of agriculture. Additionally, the forum was held online with the participation of representatives from localities, businesses, and agencies outside Hanoi, including the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development from 63 provinces and cities.

With his extensive experience, Dr. Pierre Ferrand, a representative from FAO, shared the results achieved in the development of agroecology in large countries such as India, Switzerland, and Côte d'Ivoire. He pointed out that agroecology is not just based on concepts or methods, but focuses on principles and practical solutions tailored to each country's context. He also shared how agroecology is measured and assessed through TAPE – a tool for evaluating the status and development level of agroecology in Switzerland and Côte d'Ivoire. Dr. Pierre emphasized that the development of agroecology is one of the approaches to transforming the food system, linked to Decision No. 300-QĐ/TTg on transforming food systems to be transparent, accountable, and sustainable in Vietnam by 2030. This reflects a strategic vision for transforming food systems through agroecological development to ensure sustainability, resilience, inclusivity, fairness, health, and economic growth.

The forum served as a platform for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences from leading experts and scientists in agroecology from countries around the world, which could inform Vietnam’s practices in future phases.

In her perspective on agroecology, Mrs. Estelle Bienabe from CIRAD (Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development) stated that agroecology in Vietnam is linked to sustainable agriculture. To develop it, a legal framework for international investment needs to be established, alongside promoting innovative financial models. She shared guidelines for agroecological transformation policies in ASEAN, which should be applied in Vietnam. These policy tools are part of an integrated policy framework to support effective agroecological transformation, including different forms such as agroforestry models and more diverse livestock systems.

She also emphasized that farmers are central to the value chain and play an important role in the transition to agroecology. Farmers are not only practitioners but also the main actors who directly experience and understand the production processes linked to the environment, land, and local ecosystems. Therefore, for the transition to agroecology to be successful, farmers must be actively involved in the entire process, from policy formulation to practical implementation. They not only implement but also contribute creative solutions that are appropriate for local conditions.

Dr. Tran Dai Nghia, a senior expert from UNDP, also shared experiences on the development of the dragon fruit sector in Vietnam towards ecological, green, and sustainable practices. He stated that the development of the dragon fruit industry towards ecological, green, and sustainable practices has become an urgent requirement in the context of market fluctuations and global consumption trends.

Dragon fruit, with a cultivation area that peaked at over 65,000 hectares in 2020, producing nearly 1.4 million tons, was once one of Vietnam’s main agricultural export products. However, in recent years, increasing competition, especially from southern China, where dragon fruit is now produced, has caused a decline in both the area and export volume of this sector in Vietnam.

To expand and stabilize export markets outside China, markets such as the EU, the USA, and the UK are considered potential targets with high prices. However, these markets also set strict requirements for product quality and value.

This requires the dragon fruit sector to focus on developing high-value-added products and sustainable production methods, such as organic farming or adopting circular production models. Furthermore, priority should be given to enhancing the green production value chain by monitoring and reducing carbon emissions, while promoting public-private partnerships in the digital transformation of the dragon fruit sector. The use of digital technology not only helps streamline the supply chain but also fosters sustainable cooperation commitments between stakeholders, from producers to distributors. This is key to maintaining the competitiveness of Vietnam’s dragon fruit sector, expanding its markets, and ensuring long-term sustainable development.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Tan from ICRAF Vietnam emphasized that agroecology is not just a trend but an urgent necessity in the current context, as Vietnam faces multiple challenges in food security, ecological balance, and sustainable economic development. Transitioning to agroecology not only aims to ensure safe food supplies but also addresses urgent environmental issues, such as land degradation, pollution from chemical fertilizers, and the negative impacts of climate change.

To achieve this goal, Vietnam needs to implement breakthrough solutions in technology, finance, and policy. In the northwest regions of Vietnam, challenges such as maize cultivation for animal feed, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and extreme weather events have caused serious ecological consequences. In response, establishing agroecological models has become a crucial solution to create sustainable landscapes, improve livelihoods, and protect the environment.

Dr. Tan mentioned the “Agroecology for Poor Landscape Resilience in Northern Vietnam (A4P)” project as an exemplary case, which has been implemented based on practical experience in provinces such as Son La, Yen Bai, and Dien Bien. The project focuses on five key agroecological practices, with an emphasis on integrated agroforestry models that combine sustainable and feasible solutions.

One of the project’s highlights is the establishment of agroecological landscapes, which not only conserve the environment but also support local economic development. However, this transition requires significant initial investment, both in technical and financial resources, especially for smallholder farmers. Therefore, alongside technical support, appropriate financial policies and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange programs are essential.

The national policy framework should provide clear regulations and specific guidelines for transitioning to agroecology, ensuring a unified and effective implementation process. Coordinating resources from the government, international organizations, and local communities will be the key to building a sustainable and inclusive agroecology system in Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Tan speaking at the Forum

At the same forum, Dr. Ricardo Hernandez from CIAT (International Center for Tropical Agriculture) discussed the relationship between agroecology principles and nutrition, and sustainable food systems. Reducing agricultural inputs, conserving biodiversity, diversifying economies, diets, and social values, fairness, connectivity, and participation are directly related to nutrition. At the same time, nutrition can play both a result of agroecological transformation and a driving factor in agroecology practices, creating changes in the entire food system.

Moreover, highlighting the importance of healthy diets in the food system, Professor Dr. Truong Tuyet Mai stated that consumers play an important role as an agent driving change in the food system. A healthy diet not only meets the physical and mental health needs of individuals but also reduces negative impacts on the environment. According to the FAO, such a diet is accessible, affordable, safe, balanced, and culturally appropriate worldwide. In Vietnam, research from the National Institute of Nutrition in 2021 showed a significant increase in vegetable and fruit consumption over the past decade. At the same time, breastfeeding is still considered the optimal nutrition for infants in the first six months of life, with natural sources of nutrition being the most important.

Currently, dietary guidelines in Vietnam encourage diversity in food portions, balance in nutrients, and reduce the consumption of foods high in salt to ensure health. Following these dietary guidelines not only improves health but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector. Specifically, replacing red meat and processed meats with fruits and vegetables provides many health benefits and can extend average life expectancy by 8 months. In this context, organic farming has become a pioneering approach to reducing nutritional losses and limiting the use of unnecessary additives, towards building a more sustainable and healthy food system.

Local representatives attending the forum also commented that the transition to agroecology still faces many issues that need to be discussed and resolved, especially changing farmers' mindset about traditional farming methods, such as the overuse of chemical fertilizers leading to soil degradation. In Son La, since 2015, the locality has implemented crop structure changes, reducing maize cultivation and replacing it with fruit trees, achieving positive results. Additionally, building a supply chain for agricultural products and establishing 11 certified growing areas has demonstrated the efforts of the people to meet the increasingly high-quality standards of the domestic market. However, to successfully implement and scale up agroecological models, strong and synchronized participation from the entire political system is required. Support from local authorities ensures not only resources and appropriate policies but also motivates people to adopt and effectively implement agroecological models.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that agroecology in Vietnam is still in its pilot phase, mainly limited to small-scale models. The urgent question is how to scale these models into a national agroecological system, and what criteria are necessary to apply them nationwide. Building an ecological value chain must not only focus on production and supply but also prioritize ensuring human health and environmental sustainability before products reach the market. To achieve this, it is essential to identify the participants, policies, and resources involved. The agroecological ecosystem must include close cooperation between farmers, cooperatives, local governments, agricultural extension organizations, and other stakeholders. Agricultural extension must be integrated into agroecology policies to act as a bridge between policy and practice. At the same time, technology is crucial in promoting a circular economy, from choosing environmentally friendly inputs to identifying markets for agroecological products.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam speaking at the Forum

In the future, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam proposed that the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development work with the agricultural extension system to organize a national forum on agroecology to gather experiences, propose solutions, and shape the policy framework for implementation. The Policy Forum "Agroecology – Experiences from Partners and Implementation in Vietnam" holds great significance, not only opening a strategic direction for the agricultural sector but also laying the foundation for a comprehensive transformation that contributes to environmental protection and improving the quality of life for the people of Vietnam.

The Policy Forum "Agroecology – Experiences from Partners and Implementation in Vietnam" has opened up many new and practical perspectives on building a sustainable, nature-friendly agriculture system that adapts to global challenges. Through sharing international experiences and initiatives implemented in Vietnam, the forum emphasized the importance of integrating ecological, economic, and social factors in agricultural development. Additionally, solutions related to policy establishment, financial support, digital transformation, and community capacity building were highlighted as key factors in the transformation process.

The forum called for close cooperation between the government, international organizations, businesses, and citizens to promote agroecological models nationwide. This is not only a necessary approach to address challenges related to climate change and food security but also an opportunity for Vietnam to assert its position in the global agricultural value chain. The spirit of cooperation, innovation, and concrete actions is the key to a successful transformation, towards a sustainable, prosperous, and environmentally friendly agriculture system.

Do Gia Phong – Center For Agricultural Policy/ IPSARD
Source: Compiled from the presentations and discussions at the Policy Forum "Agroecology – Experiences from Partners and Implementation in Vietnam" organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on December 10, 2024, both in person and online.