1 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project 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 MS12 : Project Completion Report 1 Table of Contents 1. Institute Information ___________________________________________________ 1 2. Project Abstract _______________________________________________________ 2 3. Executive Summary ____________________________________________________ 2 4. Introduction & Background _____________________________________________ 3 5. Progress to Date _______________________________________________________ 4 5.1 Implementation Highlights ________________________________________________ 4 5.2 Capacity Building _______________________________________________________ 14 5.3 Publicity_______________________________________________________________ 14 5.4 Project Management ____________________________________________________ 14 5.5 Environment ___________________________________________________________ 14 5.6 Gender and Social Issues _________________________________________________ 15 6. Implementation & Sustainability Issues ___________________________________ 15 6.1 Issues and Constraints ___________________________________________________ 15 6.2 Options________________________________________________________________ 15 6.3 Sustainability___________________________________________________________ 15 7. Next Critical Steps ____________________________________________________ 15 8. Conclusion __________________________________________________________ 15 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Reducing pesticide residues, improving yield, quality and marketing of 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, VN Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Chuong Australian Organisation Applied Horticultural Research Pty. Ltd.(AHR) ACN 073 642 510 Suite 352 Biomedical Building; 1 Central Ave Everleigh NSW 2015 Australia Australian Personnel Prof. Gordon Rogers Date commenced March 2007 Completion date (original) December 2009 Completion date (revised) March 2010 Reporting period Milestone achieved December 2009 Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Assoc Prof. Gordon Rogers Telephone: +61 2 8627 1040 Position: Project Leader Fax: +61 2 9544 3782 Organisation AHR, Applied Horticultural Research 352, Biomedical Building, 1 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh N.S.W. 2015 Australia Email: gordon@ahr.com.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Lynn Christie Telephone: +61 2 9527 0826 Position: Administrator Fax: +61 2 9544 3782 Organisation AHR, Applied Horticultural Research. PO Box 3114, Bundeena NSW 2230, Australia Email: lynn@ahr.com.au 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@gmai l.com 2 2. Project Abstract 3. Executive Summary The project uses a participatory approach to encourage the uptake of good agricultural practices (GAP) by the collaborating Vietnamese Institutes and the stakeholders (farmers, extension staff and commercial partners). The project includes several training initiatives. Such as the establishment of demonstration variety and GAP trials which are the basis of farmer field days, postharvest research investigating temperature management and packaging along the supply chain and market development. The project was officially signed on the 10 th March 2007. An initial pesticide residue survey found that 46% of vegetables samples contained pesticide residues in excess of the allowable limits and by the end of the project this was reduced to zero. Farmer skills have improved significantly to the point where they can now successfully grow and supply commercial quantities of high-quality vegetable crops with pesticide residues below legal requirements for safe human consumption. Powerful market linkages have been formed between Metro Cash and Carry in Hanoi and the two main communes we worked with on the project. Prior to this project, Metro dealt only with collectors or traders. The new linkage were possible because of the commune system which allows farmers to deal collectively with larger retail entities. At the completion of the project farmers regularly supplied 50 to 100 tonnes of cabbage and watermelon per season to modern retail markets in Hanoi from the Nghe An region. The farmers have also diversified into supplying other safe vegetables including Chinese cabbage, tomatoes and carrots to retail markets in Hanoi. The first VietGAP complaint manuals for vegetable crops have been produced by the project in English and Vietnamese language. The Quynh Luong commune has achieved VietGAP accreditation and now has a dedicated 15 ha area for producing safe vegetable crops. An IPM program for watermelon production has been developed and implemented in consultation with ASINCV staff and PPD staff in Vietnam. Improved postharvest handling methods have been developed, and training implemented. There was a large increase in the percentage of farmers using improved vegetable varieties. For cabbage, 100% of the crops are improved varieties whereas in 2007 the figure was only 50%. Leafy vegetables have also increased from 69% up 80% of new varieties. Kohlrabi and Brassica vegetables are now planted with increasing percentage of new 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. 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 highlight from this reporting period is the production of high quality cabbages using GAP at Quynh Luong Commune and Hung Duong Co-operative and the enthusiasm from Metro Cash and Carry to sell these products in the Hanoi store. This is a very positive step for developing an alternative supply chain for these farmers which could be more reliable and profitable than the existing ones they use. The use of IPM and the agronomic record books has also been an important first steps for the adoption of a QA system for the growers. 3 varieties. There have also been major changes in fertilizer use from 2007-2009. In 2007 vegetable growers used only single inorganic fertilizers, but by 2009 farmers used compost together with applications of complete NPK fertilizers. There were also improvements in the method of fertilizer application used between 2007 and 2009, with a clear trend to more GAP-complaint methods. The yield and incomes from key groups of vegetables have increased significantly over the three years of the project. Average prices for watermelon have doubled from 1800 VND/kg to 3500 VND/kg while cabbage prices to farmers increased by 20% to 2500 VND/kg. The improved practices have also resulted in higher yields, adding to the positive effects on commodity prices. Cabbage yield was 41 tonnes/ha in 2007, and increased to 50 tonnes/ha in 2009. Watermelon yields increased from 30 to 38 tonnes/ha. Two Vietnamese scientists, who were nominated from ASINCV, visited Australia from the 12 th – 18 th August 2007. The scientists visited Australian growers and markets. They also worked with the Australian partners to develop aspects of the GAP manual and particularly the quality assurance aspects based on the NSW Department of Primary Industries FreshCare ® program. Three scientists, Mr. Doan Xuan Canh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Quyen and Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang from ASINCV in Vinh City visited Australia between the 10 th and 28 th February 2008. They visited farms, retailers and marketers in Australia and attended the Australian Melon Conference in Ipswich, Queensland during their visit. Finally, in the words of the leader of the Quynh Luong Commune, the project has resulted in significant improvement in the income of farmers, because of higher yields and prices, and also an improvement in their health because of reduced exposure to pesticides. 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. 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 • Postharvest temperature management and handling technology limits the quality presented to consumers • Agronomic practices used by growers can limit potential yields and hence farmer income • Traditional marketing can limit farmer returns The project will use a participatory approach to encourage the uptake of good agricultural practices (GAP) by the collaborating Vietnamese Institutes and the stakeholders (farmers, extension staff and commercial partners). The project will include several training initiatives. These include the establishment of demonstration variety and GAP trials which will be the basis of farmer field days, postharvest research investigating temperature management and packaging along the supply chain, intensive training of Vietnamese horticulturalists in Australia and the delivery of a large workshop at the end of the project to ensure the information is available to as wide an audience as possible. Another important 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 better returns. Retailers 4 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: o New varieties o Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) o Participatory training o Postharvest research and training o Developing supply chain links 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The contract for the project was signed on the 10 th March 2007 after a novation agreement was signed 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. Baseline survey The first baseline survey was carried out at: • Hung Dong commune, Vinh city, with 30 farmer households. • Quynh Luong commune, Quynh Luu district, with 30 farmer households. • Hung Loi commune, Hung Nguyen district, with 30 farmer households The survey found that farmers were skilled in traditional vegetable production methods. Many vegetable crops were grown from local varieties which produced only low yields. Pesticide and chemical safety was poor at the three surveyed sites for vegetable production. Improved postharvest handling represented a good opportunity to increase vegetable quality and improve shelf life but farmers were not interested because of their small scale. Quality Assurance management was not yet being practiced at the surveyed sites at the start of the project. Good Agriculture Practice on vegetable production was a new concept with the farmers surveyed. The follow up survey near the end of the project will be useful to measure the impact of the project on management practices, especially pesticide handling. The pesticide residue survey found that 46% of vegetables samples contained pesticide residues in excess of the allowable limits and it was hoped this figure could be improved by the end of the project. Marketing linkages A powerful marketing linkage was created between Metro Cash and Carry in Hanoi and the two main communes in Nghe An province. Prior to this project, Metro dealt only with collectors or traders. The new linkages were possible because of the commune system which allows farmers to deal collectively with larger retail entities, and efforts by Metro to reciprocate. Metro Cash and Carry Vietnam were impressed by quality of cabbage when they visited Quynh Luong in December 2007. They agreed to buy everything that the farmers could produce and wanted to extend to more products using this system. Mr Cuong from ASINCV visited Quynh Luong 5 Commune and negotiated a contract between Metro Cash and Carry and the growers for cabbage this season. A marketing plan was then developed in collaboration with Metro. Marketing and supply The Vinh – Nghe An brand was developed and includes stick-on labels and posters. Stickers for fruit were designed by a professional graphic design studio in Sydney and 5000 copies of the stickers were printed and sent to Vietnam. Subsequently, labels have been printed in Vietnam. This development was funded from the Australian component of the project budget. The stickers were important to differentiate the GAP-produced produce and identify it as having been grown under GAP guidelines and therefore free from excessive pesticide residues. The stickers were supported by in-store posters, training on postharvest handling and marketing present by John Baker to farmers and retail staff from Metro Hanoi. Dr Jobling will visited Vietnam in January 2008 to assist with the first harvest of cabbages and Dr Rogers and Mr Baker visited the following week for the second harvest and to assist with the in store promotion at Metro Cash and Carry. QA were guidelines have been prepared they are based on the quality specifications from Metro Cash and Carry. These were distributed to growers and used during the initial cabbage harvest. Crop supply scheduling tools were developed which can be used to assist farmers in developing planting schedules to meet retail orders and also to monitor crop progress. Crop planting and supply tools have been developed in the form of Excel ® spreadsheets. The tools were developed for cabbage, watermelon, Chinese cabbage, tomatoes and carrots. The starting point is the quantity and time each consignment is required by the retailer, e.g., 5 tonne of cabbage per week from January to March. The program determines planting dates, numbers of seed or seedlings required, area required each week to produce the required amounts of produce. By the completion of the project, an understanding of how to successfully market, produce and deliver high quality vegetable crops was demonstrated by the capability of farmers to regularly supply 50 – 100 tonnes of cabbage and watermelon to modern retail markets in Hanoi from the Nghe An region. The farmers have also diversified into supplying other safe vegetables including Chinese cabbage, tomatoes and carrots to retail markets in Hanoi. Cabbage in plastic crates with “stickers” identifying the Nghe An brand 6 Production sites The two main sites for the project were the Quynh Luong Commune in Quynh Luu and the Hung Dong Collective in Vinh City. A new watermelon production site was also found for watermelon production in Nghe An as an alternative to Hung Dong where the soil is too heavy. The new site is at Dien Phuong and has light sandy soils with well-developed infrastructure for vegetable growing. The farmers have been able to successfully supply both cabbages and watermelons to Metro Cash and Carry in Hanoi, from these sites following up the success of the previous cabbage crop. There were some issues with root diseases, especially Fusarium sp. and this resulted in a lower than expected delivery to Metro. The expected delivery was 100 tonnes, but only about 70% of this was delivered due to poor yields from the Hung Dong Collective. High quality cabbage crops at Quynh Luong Results of watermelon variety trials 7 Successful watermelon crops produced during the project VietGAP guidelines/manuals in English & Vietnamese VietGAP manuals for cabbage and watermelon growing have been produced and comply with the current VietGAP regulation issued by MARD (Resolution No. 379, issued on 28 January 2008 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development). Low-resolution print versions on these manuals were submitted to CARD for the purposes of evaluation. High-resolution print versions of the manuals are also available. The manuals are produced for watermelons and cabbage production in both English and Vietnamese language. Each manual is in three parts: Part 1 – The Manual This contains all the crop specific information, requirements for safe vegetable production: the principles of safe on farm production as well as a list of approved pesticides for cabbage production in Vietnam. The sections are: Introduction How to use the VietGAP Manual: Cabbage Cabbage best practice guide • Agronomy • Pest and disease management • Harvesting and postharvest management • Quality assurance • Specifications for high quality cabbage • Guidelines for on-farm food safety: an overview • References Appendices Appendix 1. Impact of insecticides on natural enemies found in brassica vegetables Appendix 2. VietGAP: The General Regulation (Resolution No. 379, issued by MARD) Appendix 3. List of approved chemicals for use in cabbage production in Vietnam Part 2 Farmer Notebook This for the farmer to record details about each crop. It provides the basis for traceability of the crop and what was done to the crop during growing, harvesting, packaging and transport to market. It is designed to be photocopied and there is also a simple word version available, which can be cheaply printed and used. Part 3 Checklist This contains a checklist of the 65 requirements for VietGAP compliance. 8 Impact of the project on farmer skills At the start of the project the extent of safe vegetable production and farmer skills in the application of pesticides, record keeping, modern agronomic techniques, marketing and postharvest skills were low. By the completion of the project, farmer skills had improved significantly to the point where they can now successfully grow and supply commercial quantities of high-quality vegetable crops with pesticide residues below legal requirements for safe human consumption. Evidence for this achievement was submitted to CARD with milestone 11 in the form of the final pesticide residue and farmer survey reports. The capability of farmers to regularly supply 50 – 100 tonnes of cabbage and watermelon to modern retail markets in Hanoi from the Nghe An region is convincing evidence that project objectives have been achieved. New 15 ha of vegetable production area Quynh Luong Training of farmers and staff at local level The were a total of 14 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) conducted as part of the project and the total number of farmers who participated in these schools was 405 (see training summary report attached to milestone 10). These FFSs were mainly conducted at Quynh Luong and Hung Dong communes, however there were also two FFSs conducted at the Dien Phuong commune in Nghe An province on cabbage (September-October 2008) and watermelon production in June-July 2008. Dien Phuong produced watermelons successfully for one season, but have since diversified into other crops such as sweet corn and other vegetables. A total of 405 farmers were trained by the project. In addition, there was considerable effort directed into TOT activities, which will result in ASINCV, MARD and commune staff being able to continue with similar FFS and other training activities in the future [...]... to pesticides 15 Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs Project Title: Reducing pesticide residues, improving yield, quality and marketing of Cucurbit and Brassica vegetable crops in Northern Central Vietnam through improved varieties, GAP principles and farmer focused training Vietnamese Implementing Institution: Agricultural Science Institute for Northern Central. .. cucurbits and brassica crops to EurepGAP standard Farmers use GAP principles to produce new crops resulting in improved incomes and market opportunities GAP manuals and training materials prepared for Brassicaceae and Cucurbit crop groups The completed VietGAP compliant manuals in Vietnamese and English for both watermelon and cabbage were attached to milestone report No 5 Sections of the VietGAP manual include:... in Vietnam Provide training to ASINCV, QL and HD on cabbage agronomy December 2007 Jenny Jobling Prue Jobling Plan postharvest studies with FAVRI Attend GAP workshop in Hanoi ands plan GAP manuals Review state of cabbage crops in Vinh Plan marketing and transport of cabbage crop to Metro Hanoi Train Metro Cash and Carry in handling techniques Oversee harvesting and ensure adequate quality 1/12/07 –... GAP manuals in Hanoi, Vinh City and Quynh Luong 13 Kerry Cooke 5.2 Capacity Building Skills of farmers and scientists have increased in the recognition and management of pests and diseases, especially root diseases in watermelons and insects in cabbages Capacity of farmers to supply crops on time and in good condition have improved through training and assisted by the development of computer-based crop... seasons work including varieties, GAP, postharvest handling, supply chain networks and quality assurance principles Farmers learn how to grow new crops with lower pesticide residues 50 trainers and 20 scientists participate in conference 150 delegates presented with findings of the project and the FFS 150 delegates presented with findings of the project and the FFS Concluding workshops were held in November... attitudes and practices of target farmers including crops grown, access to suitable varieties, yields, costs and returns, IMP and use of pesticides (type, frequency, safety and observance of withholding periods), post-harvest quality assurance and market practices Baseline survey conducted with 20 farmers Activity B2 Measure changes in pesticide residue levels of representative sample of farmer crops Pesticide. .. extension staff in each province trained in pest and disease scouting and able to choose appropriate pesticides, specify application rates and when to apply 50+ MARD, ASINCV and RIFAV staff trained in IPM applicable to the new varieties and crops Activity 2.2.1 Train MARD extension staff in pest and disease scouting, pest/disease thresholds and selection of appropriate pesticides involving Vietnambased... conducted and reported by Mr Minh (FAVRI) in collaboration with Dr Jenny Jobling, University of Sydney Reports of the research and the training program developed in postharvest have been submitted to CARD An IPM program for watermelon production has been developed and implemented by Tim Kimpton (AHR) in consultation with ASINCV staff and PPD staff in Vietnam Training was delivered (see training summary) and. .. Conduct Farmer Field Schools Farmer Field schools conducted in Nghe An province 30 FFS held in Nghe An and farmers trained in GAP specific to new varieties of vegetables The was a total of 14 Farmer Field Schools conducted as part of the project and the total number of farmers who participated in these schools was 405 (see attached training summary report) These FFSs were mainly conducted at Quynh Luong and. .. MARD and Australian team 50+ MARD, ASINCV and RIFAV staff trained in IPM applicable to the new varieties and crops New techniques adopted by farmers reducing pesticide residues and allowing farmers to comply with QA programs Training workshops held at ASINCV and RIFAV There were 30 TOT activities over the three years of the project, excluding the final workshop in November with a total attendance of . 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Reducing pesticide residues, improving yield, quality and marketing of vegetable crops in Northern Central Vietnam through improved varieties, GAP principles. Activities And Inputs Project Title: Reducing pesticide residues, improving yield, quality and marketing of Cucurbit and Brassica vegetable crops in Northern Central Vietnam through improved varieties,. Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project Progress Report 021/06VIE Reducing pesticide resides, improving yield, quality and marketing of vegetables crops in Northern