"Taking a value chain approach to improving rural livelihoods in the context of climate change and natural disasters in Can Loc” project in Ha Tinh province

On March 9th, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), in collaboration with the People's Committee of Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province held an introductory workshop for the "Taking a value chain approach to improving rural livelihoods in the context of climate change and natural disasters in Can Loc" project. This project is set to be one of SRD's largest, and our first in Ha Tinh province, and will improve livelihoods and reduce vulnerability of six communes using a value chains approach to address climate change and disaster risk reduction. The project is funded by Manos Unidas (Spain) and will be implemented in three communes: Vuong Loc, Vinh Loc and Khanh Loc over the next three years (from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2015).

Can Loc, which has low-lying topography and poor drainage system, is considered a "giant water bag" and the "flood navel" of Ha Tinh province. The livelihoods of local people mainly depend on cultivation and livestock which take place on a small and scattered scale with limited added value. The poverty rate remains high (over 23%) and people face many risks of natural disasters and climate change. This project aims to support people to develop crop and livestock production following a market-oriented approach while minimizing the risks of natural disasters and abnormal weather effects. The project also focuses on building capacity for planning and implementing activities to respond to disasters at all levels (district, commune and village). It is expected that after the project ends, around 1,070 households will have directly benefitted from this project.

Representatives from VUSTA, district and commune departments and village associations attended the introductory workshop. Through presentations and discussions the workshop ensured that participants fully understood the project's purposes, objectives and activities, and the processes in place to coordinate and implement the project among SRD, the District People's Committee (DPC), the District's Division of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People Committee from three communes. Representatives of SRD and the DPC formally signed a cooperation agreement to implement the project.

Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hop, SRD's Executive Director and co-head of the Project Steering Committee, spoke at the workshop, and highly appreciated the open and enthusiastic support of Can Loc DPC and the communes in building the project and preparing project procedures. She also emphasized the expectation that the parties would closely work together to effectively implement the project and bring practical benefits to the local communities.

Mr. Le Cong Luong from VUSTA highly appreciated SRD's success in implementing previous projects and highlighted the importance of empowering the local community to ensure the long-term success of the project.

On behalf of Can Loc DPC, Mr. Dang Tran Phong - Vice chairman of DPC and Head of the Project Steering Committee - expressed the importance the local government placed on the project's sustainability and ability to be replicated in other areas. Mr Dang pledged that the DPC will continue cooperating with SRD in implementing the project over the next three years and requested the ongoing support of other stakeholders to coordinate the project implementation to reduce the vulnerability and improve livelihoods for communities in Can Loc.

 Representatives of SRD and Can Loc DPC signed a cooperation agreement to implement the project

-SRD-