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Sustainable Agriculture

 

Sustainable Agriculture & Livelihoods

 


Sustainable agriculture and livelihoods, which have always been a key area of SRD, are reflected in projects. It is an integral component of SRD's work in poor and vulnerable communities. Our Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods projects focus on raising the income of populations in rural and mountainous areas, especially women and ethnic minorities; supporting hunger eradication and poverty alleviation simultaneously; protecting the ecological environment; minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and the destructive impact of climate change; and empowering local communities to sustainably manage their own livelihoods and living environment. 

SRD strives to implement Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Climate-resilient Agricultural Adaptation (CAA), Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA), and sustainable agroforestry systems in order to help people mitigate emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We also encourage the participation and enhance the decision-making capabilities of rural people in local socio-economic development activities in their communities. 

 

Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the agriculture and forestry sector of the North-western highlands – VM070

 

The project "Mitigation and Adaptation to climate change in the agriculture and forestry sector of the North-western highlands" is funded by Bread for the World (BftW) and reciprocal funding from Thuan Chau district People's Committee. The project is implemented from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 by SRD in coordination with Thuan Chau district People's Committee, Plant Protection Department, and Forest Protection Department of Son La province.

1. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

The vulnerability of climate change was assessed on 8 villages of 4 project communes with the participation of 144 households. This assessment identified climate change as a key issue in project areas involving consequences such as landslides, erosion, washing, flooding, frost, drought, and other impacts on crops and livestock as well as the life of local communities. The evaluation results were the basis for compiling, designing and printing around 20,000 seasonal calendars which have bene distributed to all households in all villages of the 4 project communes as well as other neighboring villages.

2. The connection between modern science and indigenous knowledge in improving livelihoods adapted to climate change

- 16 groups of rice and coffee interests were established and put into operation with more than 400 members (a female participation rate is over 50%);

- Organized 10 training courses on the model of CAR rice cultivation with the participation of 300 people in 8 villages of 4 project communes. Each training course comprised 8 sessions delivered according to the Farmer Field School (FFS) method and 1 workshop;

- 02 indigenous sticky rice varieties were restoed, namely Chien - variety in Bien village, Nam Lau commune, and Tan Lanh - variety in Ta Khoang village, Chieng Pha commune. In 2021, 150 promising rice flowers with the most purebed characteristics were selected from the field crops and preserved for use in the next crop;

- Organized 04 workshops for sustainable coffee cultivation with a total of 120 participants. Coffee is pruned to create a canopy that assists the management of pests and diseases. Increased application of composted manure and organic fertilizers involve less emission than would have results from chemical fertilizers, plus improve the environment and reduce soil degradation;

- A model of sustainable taro cultivation, which has been implemented in Nam Lau commune with 07 training sessions. The model uses natural products and applies environmentally friendly solutions. Through the use of organic fertilizers taro has reach yields of 10 tons/ha, which compares favorably to the average local yield of 08 tons/ha. Additionally, land on which organic fertilizer is applied becomes more porous and resistant to degradation;

- A model of biosecure and environmentally friendly indigenouse chicken farming is implemented in all 8 villages of 4 project communes with the participation of nearly 250 households. The model encourages people to preserve indigenous chicken breeds and apply breeding techniques to increase economic value, reduce environmental pollution, and reduce disease in poultry.

3. Management and rational use of water resources as well as improving public awareness of the role of forests in minimizing the impacts of climate change

- 16 Water Users Associations (WUA) with 454 participants were established with regulations on water management and maintenance after an assessment of the situation of water supply and demand;

- Organized 8 forums on the role of forests, 8 forums on community forest management, and 8 forums on Payment for Forest Environmental Service; Provided technical support to encourage people to plant scattered forestry trees on coffee plantations. 

4. Promoting internal strength of communities

- Provided Training of Trainers (ToT) for local officials; Developed a team of potential young lectures in 4 project communes; Leveraged local resources in disseminating and applying technical solutions to adapt to climate change in the community;

- Established and operated 8 VSLAs, leveraging community resources in improving livelihoods. There were 273 participants in the training and 240 subsequently became registered as members of 8 VSLAs. By December 2021, member of 8 VSLAs had independently raised 200.000.000VND and provided loans of between 200.000VND to 10.000.000VND to 130 members for necessities, school supplies, education, seedlings, fertilizers and animal feed, medical examination, and repair of houses.