The Agricultural Sector Programme Support
(ASPS) in Vietnam comprises five components: Seed, Post-Harvest Handling,
Integrated pest Management (IPM), Small Livestock and Credit. The overall
objective of the Programme is to reduce rural poverty based on sustainable
agricultural development. The implementation of the programme began in
November 2000.
For the ASPS in general, extensive Logical Framework Analysis (LFA),
which guide implementers and facilitates annual planning has been prepared
for all components. A monitoring system has been established with the
assistance of ICARD. The system will give accurate information on
quarterly basis and Monitoring staff has been appointed for all
components. Capacity Building activities and staff training is of high
priority of the National Management Unit.
1. The Seed component intends to promote sustainable growth in
production, supply and use of high quality seed for rice, maize and
legumes, as well as economic efficiency gains in the seed sector. This is
to be achieved through the implementation of 8 Sub-components providing
support at both national and provincial level. The sub-components are:
- Improvement of Regulatory Framework
- Support to a National Seed Council
- Improvement of the Variety Evaluation and Release System
- Improvement of Seed Certification and Quality Control
- Support to Research and Breeding.
- Seed Health
- Support to seed Production Units.
- Improvement of On-Farm Seed Production.
The principal implementing agency of the Seed Component is the
Department of Agricultural and Forestry Extension (DAFE). Several other
agencies are involved like the National Centre for Variety Evaluation and
Seed Certification (NCVESC), the Department of Science Technology and
Product Quality (DSTPQ) and the National Institute for Plant Protection
(NIPP).
Seed Component is in the process of carrying out baseline studies in
four provinces approved by the National Steering Committee. Training
curriculum for on-farm-saved seed is completed and training of farmers
following the Farmer Field school model will commence very shortly.
Equipment and machinery for 9 breeding stations are in the process of
being provided.
2. The main focus of the Post-Harvest Handling Component (PHHC)
is on how to reduce post-harvest losses at household and village level.
Support is thus primarily aims at the post-harvest processes of threshing,
drying and storage operations at farm and village level, and on the main
crops of rice, maize and legumes. The PHHC is trying to improve access of
farm household to low-cost technologies and to strengthen the management
abilities of the individual household of its post-harvest operations. At
national level, the component will assist the Government of Vietnam with
the development of a National Post-Harvest strategy and with improvement
of post-harvest technology research and capacity building.
Post Harvest Handling Component as a start has focused on the transfer
of better technology and the promotion and support of viable investment.
The component entered agreements with most provinces in the Mekong River
Delta who have appointed officers to implement the component. Baseline
studies have been completed for Long An, Tien Giang and Dong Thap
provinces. Training of farmers and 960 potential service-providers has
taken place. Training manuals have been worked out and field-tested. A
programme on Post-Harvest activities for the North is under preparation.
Also a Post harvest strategy is currently being worked out.
3. The IPM Component is implemented through the National IPM
Programme, which is an entity within the Plant Protection Department of
MARD. The IPM Component seeks to improve farmers; decision-making
capabilities through a learning process facilitated by and in Farmers'
Field Schools (FFS). The overall purpose of the component is the reduction
of pesticide use in the production of primarily rice, to a lesser degree
maize and vegetables, in order to reduce production costs and dependence
on agro-chemicals, as well as improve human health.
IPM Component is fully integrated in the National IPM programme. The 3
provinces of Thai Binh, Can Tho and Soc Trang where intensive IPM
activities are on-going, managed to train 20% of the targeted farmers in
these provinces. The component started working in 19 more provinces and
plans to expand even further with the beginning of next season. Curriculum
for FFS has expanded and will include cotton, tea, Soya beans, peanuts and
sweet potato besides the traditional training on rice.
4. The Small Livestock Component (SLC) aims at designing,
testing and demonstrating sustainable models of best practices for pigs
and poultry production with the purpose of illustrating how small
household can increase the production and productivity of their animals.
The component has initiated trials in two provinces and in the process of
including a third province. Vietnamese research institutions are involved
in practical models' development. Farmers' Livestock Schools (FLS) based
on the IPM FFS concept is being tested.
Small Livestock Component was subjected to a technical review in the
beginning of 2002. Implementation is taking place in both Thai Binh and
Thanh Hoa provinces. Implementation in Nghe An will follow very soon.
Baseline studies are completed for Thai Binh and Thanh Hoa. Curriculum for
farmers training in Farmers' Livestock School (FLS) is in final stages.
5. The Credit Component reflects the importance of access to
credit when attempting to build the capacity in post-harvest, seed
production and to a lesser degree in the SLC. The importance of access to
credit is a sector-wide concern. The component operates with VBARD as the
main implementing agency.
The Credit Component facilitated the signing of provincial Agreements
between the DARDs and the VBARDs in Dong Thap, Long An and Tien Giang for
supporting the Post Harvest Component. Intensive training has been
delivered to the DARDs' and VBARDs' personnel in charge of credit
management. Guidelines for operation are agreed upon between ASPS and the
VBARD.
