On November 29^th, over 60 crop science students and faculty from Thai Nguyen University gathered together with representatives from community-based organizations, SRD and fellow members of the Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) sub-group of the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANRM) working group. This day-long workshop focused on fostering discussion about the role of indigenous knowledge in building the resilience of rural communities as well the risks of GMO technology in Vietnam. This conversation was enriched by the expertise of Dr. Angelika Hilbeck, an international expert on biosafety issues related to biotechnology invited by SANRM to Vietnam.

This unique workshop incorporated a presentation of research related to indigenous knowledge and climate change adaptation conducted by Dr. Ho Ngoc Son from the Agriculture and Development Centre of Thai Nguyen University, a screening of the documentary Bitterseeds which details the experience of small-scale farmers in India cultivating GMO cotton, and large group discussions with Dr. Hilbeck about GMOs and indigenous knowledge in the context of Vietnam. This workshop offered community organizations, farmer representatives, researchers, and students a critical opportunity to learn about and discuss the role of indigenous knowledge and risks of GMO knowledge in Vietnam. Through this educational event, it is our hope that the farmers, students, and faculty are able to make knowledgeable choices regarding the future of agriculture in their fields and communities.  

Megan Mills-Novoa, Luce Scholar, SRD Sustainable Agriculture Officer