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Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Progress Report
021/06VIE

Reducing pesticide resides, improving yield, quality
and marketing of vegetables crops in Northern
Central Vietnam through improved varieties, GAP
principles and farmer focused training First Six-Monthly Report Date
9
th
January 2008

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Table of Contents

vegetable crops in Northern Central Vietnam through improved
varieties, GAP principles and farmer focused training
Vietnamese Institution
Agricultural Science Institute for Northern Central Vietnam.
(“ASINCV”), Nghi Kim, Vinh city,Nghe An province, Vietnam
Vietnamese Project Team
Leader
Dr Chuong
Australian Organisation
Applied Horticultural Research Pty. Ltd.(AHR) ACN 073 642 510, PO
Box 3114, Bundeena NSW 2230, Australia
Australian Personnel
Assoc Prof. Gordon Rogers
Date commenced
March 2007
Completion date
(original)
December 2009
Completion date
(revised)

Reporting period
1
st
March 2007 – 30
th
June 2007

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader


In Vietnam
Name:
Dr Pham Van Chuong
Telephone:
+84 (903) 221 612
Position:
Team Leader Vietnam
Fax:
+84(0) 38 851 981
Organisation Agricultural Science Institute for
Northern Central Vietnam.
(“ASINCV”), Nghi Kim, Vinh city,
Nghe An province, Vietnam
Email: chuong.phamvan@gma
il.com

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2. Project Abstract
• Improved quality standards and quality assurance cucurbit crops to meet market
expectations
Vegetable farming in Vietnam can bring an attractive income of around 20-30 Million VND per
year which represents 80-90% of the average farming family income. There is potential to
increase these returns to growers by maximizing yield and quality of the produce they grow. This
project aims to improve the income of smallholders by encouraging them to adopt clean and
sustainable production practices. This will involve providing high yielding; disease resistant
varieties of watermelon and cabbage, providing information and training in Good Agricultural
Practice which will in turn help reduce chemical inputs and reduce postharvest losses. The
introduction of new varieties and GAP will be implanted using a participatory approach with
farmer field days and workshops lead by leading Australian industry consultants. The project will
also facilitate the development of an effective supply chain which provides quality assurance for
buyers and a higher income for farmers. The project focus is on producing a better commercial
outcome for growers by facilitating the adoption of good agricultural practice and the
development of relationships along the supply chain. 4
4. Introduction & Background
Vegetable growing in Vietnam is an important source of income for the country and accounts
for 9% of the total cropping including rice. The major vegetables consumed in Vietnam are
KangKong, Brassica’s (cabbage, pak choi & kohlrabi) and various types of cucurbits (Anh,
Ali et al. 2004).

There is potential to increase these returns to growers by maximizing yield and quality of the
produce they grow. However, there are several aspects of the vegetable industry in Vietnam
which currently limit expansion and development of the industry and financial returns to
farmers, i.e.:

• High pesticide and nitrosamine residues in produce

There will also be workshops involving the collaborating farmers, Institutes and commercial
buyers that will develop quality standards and quality assurance programs for the supply
chain identified. Mr John Baker from Produce Marketing Australia (PMA) will facilitate that
part of the project as he has extensive experience in developing markets for Australian,
American and Vietnamese growers.

The aim is to develop a new and reliable market for growers by establishing supply chain
links with Metro supermarkets. This will mean that the number of steps in the supply chain
will be reduced and the product will reach the final customers more quickly, resulting in a
fresher product with increased demand and sales. As a result, farmers will benefit through
increased sales, more reliable markets, better communication with product buyers and in turn

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better returns. Retailers benefit through reliable supplies of consistent clean product that
meets their specifications and thus improving their sales and returns.

The project is focussed on outdoor farmers adopting methods to produce clean high quality
vegetables by:

1. New varieties: Introducing and evaluating new varieties with good pest and disease
resistance, and agronomic characteristics in field trials at ASINCV at ASINCV in Vinh
City, Nghe An province. These trials will be used to select the best performing new
varieties.

Disease resistant varieties will be sourced from seed companies such as: EastWest
(Vietnam), Long Hoang Gia Seeds Ltd, Syngetnta seeds, and AVRDC. Evaluation trials
will include varieties such as:

• Cabbage: BC76; SG129; SG130; WCA443; Kilaherb; Quisto; Gloria; Gospel
F1; KK Cross; KK Cross (for common standard); Green Helmet.

farmers in this project. ASINCV and RIFAV Departments of Postharvest Technology
and Postharvest Physiology respectively will play a key role in the postharvest aspects of
the project.

5. Developing supply chain links with the supermarket Metro. The Australian team will
co-ordinate and help set up the marketing linkages between Metro and the farmers. This
link will be crucial because the higher standards required by Metro and the associated

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higher returns to growers will be the incentive for farmers to adopt the new techniques.
These supply chain linkages will be appropriately mapped.
5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
i. CARD contract signed:
The project was officially signed on the 10
th
March 2007. This was after a novation
agreement between the University of Sydney and Applied Horticultural Research Ltd.

A planning meeting was held with all parties in Hanoi and Vinh City during the week
of the 25
th
– 31
st
March 2007.

ii. Training Vietnamese scientists in Australia
Two Vietnamese scientist, who were nominated from ASINCV, visited Australia
from the 12
th

June). Dr Rogers visited Vinh City on the 15
th
-22
nd
July to help supervise the
planting/harvesting of the trial.

This trial was an important preliminary trial which highlighted the issues in terms of
the seasonality of the Nghe An province. It also allowed all collaborators to get the
contracts and logistics in place for future shipments.

iv. Baseline survey drafted
The questionnaire for the baseline survey of farmers has been completed and
translated into Vietnamese. The survey won’t be completed by December 2007 as Mr
Cuong would like to survey farmers during the production season for cabbages which
runs from October to March. This means that the information will be fresh in their
minds and our data will be more accurate.

5.2 Smallholder Benefits
New varieties of watermelon were introduced and successfully grown for one season.
Due to the long negotiations over the contract the late start date meant that the
plantings were later than optimum. Nevertheless the watermelon was good quality and
the first harvest was sold to Metro on the 31
st
July. Unfortunately the monsoon
destroyed the later plantings and it was unmarketable. This was a very successful
preliminary trial which demonstrated the concept for the local growers and as a result

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they are keen to continue working with the project to produce a crop of cabbages with

science and technology with the aim to develop the socio-economy of Northern
Central Vietnam.

During the initial meeting in March the Vietnamese and Australian team member
roles within the project were finalised and sub-contract agreements between AHR and
our Vietnamese collaborators were prepared and signed

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
The introduction of improved watermelon varieties and sustainable production techniques
will improve the environment in vegetable growing regions and reduce pesticide use. Farmers
with better varieties, more knowledge and better market access have more control over the

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production system and have an incentive to prevent unnecessary applications of fungicides.
GAP also ensures farmers safe use of chemicals which protects the health of faming
communities as well as the environment.

6.2 Gender and Social Issues
The market development should ensure better on-farm prices, through reduction in the
number of intermediaries and/or through increased power to farmers rather than
brokers. Farm incomes will therefore increase, and result in better standard of living
for rural workers in particular women.
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
Extended contract negotiations have delayed the implementation of the project. This
has resulted in a renegotiation of the project milestones.
7.2 Options
Nil
7.3 Sustainability

proposed start date of January 2007. The delayed start meant that the first crop of
watermelons was planted later than the optimum time. Despite this the initial crop was
an important learning experience for all concerned and has provided many
opportunities for improving the proposed supply chain for future crops.

In the first six months the Vietnamese and Australian team member roles within the
project have been finalised. Two Vietnamese scientists have visited Australia and
have undertaken intensive training in crop production and quality assurance
management and most importantly the first trial of watermelons was grown, harvested
and sold to Metro Cash and carry in Hanoi.