Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " 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 docx

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Progress Report 021/06VIE Reducing pesticide resides, improving yield, quality and marketing of vegetables crops in Northern Central Vietnam

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

Table of Contents

1 Institute Information _ 2 

2 Project Abstract _ 3 

3 Executive Summary 3 

4 Introduction & Background _ 4 

5 Progress to Date _ 6 

5.1 Implementation Highlights 6 

5.2 Smallholder Benefits 6 

5.3 Capacity Building 7 

5.4 Publicity 7 

5.5 Project Management _ 7 

6 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues _ 7 

6.1 Environment 7 

6.2 Gender and Social Issues 8 

7 Implementation & Sustainability Issues 8 

7.1 Issues and Constraints 8 

7.2 Options _ 8 

7.3 Sustainability 8 

8 Next Critical Steps _ 8 

9 Conclusion _ 9 

10 Statutory Declaration _Error! Bookmark not defined. 

10.1 Appendix 1 Suggested Plans for Watermelon Trials in Vinh at ASINCV _ Error!

Bookmark not defined. 

1 Institute Information

vegetable crops in Northern Central Vietnam through improved varieties, GAP principles and farmer focused training

(“ASINCV”), Nghi Kim, Vinh city,Nghe An province, Vietnam

Vietnamese Project Team

Leader

Dr Chuong

Box 3114, Bundeena NSW 2230, Australia

Completion date

(original)

December 2009

Completion date

(revised)

Contact Officer(s)

In Australia: Team Leader

Research , PO Box 3114 Bundeena NSW 2230, Australia

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@gma

il.com

2 Project Abstract

3 Executive Summary

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

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 successfully sold to Metro Cash and Carry in Hanoi 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 they are keen to continue working with the project to produce a crop of cabbages with planting starting in late October

This preliminary trial;

• Demonstrated new marketing links between supermarkets (e.g Metro Cash and Carry initially) and farmers that will increase farmer income and result in higher vegetable quality in retail outlets

• Improved pre-harvest technologies to produce high quality cucurbit crops

• 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 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

• 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

One of the key issues is the high level of pesticide residue on fresh produce grown in Vietnam A recent study has shown that up to 22% of the vegetables consumed in Vietnam may be unsafe to eat because of pesticide residues, heavy metal contamination and high nitrosamine levels (Health and Life, No 204, Nov 2002) In Hanoi, 9% of vegetable samples exceed pesticide residue limits and 7% have residues of banned pesticides (Moustier, Bridger

et al 2002; Anh, Ali et al 2004) In addition to pesticide residues, nitrate levels in vegetable products are commonly several times higher than permitted levels (Thatch 1999), and are caused by the use of excessive nitrogenous fertilizer (Thi 1999; Thi 2000; Ha and Ali 2005) Despite the heavy pesticide use, significant proportions of crop yields are lost to pests and diseases e.g 25% of leafy vegetables, 23% of cucurbits and 32% of brassicas (Anh, Ali et al 2004) One factor which further complicates the pesticide residue issue, is that constant high humidity (>75%) in many growing areas encourages foliage diseases and fungicide spraying

to control these diseases (Anh, Ali et al 2004)

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

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

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

• Watermelon: Hoang Gia 350 F1 (resistant to anthracnose); Queen Bee 170 F1

(resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose); Red Tiger (resistant to

anthracnose race 1 and fusarium race 0 and 1)

2 A Good Agricultural Practice manual will be developed collaboratively between

Vietnamese and Australian teams for two major annual crop groups: cucurbits and brassicas The manual will be a practical guide and will include information on varietal selection and evaluation; water management; crop nutrition; crop scheduling; effective pest and disease management including insect scouting; and, correct postharvest handling (i.e harvest maturity, temperature management, grading, transport and packaging) The integrated pest management aspects will be handled by the ASINCV Integrated pest management (IPM) department Nguyen Duc Thang, Tran Thuy Van, and Nguyen Quang Huy

3 Participatory Training: The training component is targeted at several levels but all

cases use a participatory approach The field trials provide training on experimental design and management as well as providing resources for growers for the field days The production of the GAP manual provides information that can be used in Farmer Field Schools The Farmer Field Schools will be run by ASINCV and RIFAV, and co-ordinated by Nguyen Quang Hao and Phan Van Vinh of the Extension and Technology Transfer Department at ASINCV

4 Postharvest Research and Training: Postharvest research into the temperature profile

of products through the supply chain will highlight areas for improvement in packaging and package orientation within the truck to reduce temperature build up during transport This research is the first step in mapping the supply chain to determine areas for

improvement Quality Standards will be developed for the new varieties introduced Vietnamese researchers will also be trained in the Fresh Care Quality Assurance system (NSW Dept Primary Industry) and a similar QA system will be initiated for participating 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

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 10th 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 25th – 31st March 2007

ii Training Vietnamese scientists in Australia

Two Vietnamese scientist, who were nominated from ASINCV, visited Australia from the 12th – 18th 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

iii Watermelon varieties planted and harvested

The first watermelon plantings were planted on the 1st planting occurred on 31st May

2007 Heavy rain which delayed planting also reduced seedling emergence There was

an estimated 50% germination

The 2nd planting seeded in the nursery around the 31st May and was transplanted into the field on the 13th June 2007 The 3rd planting was transplanted about 10 days later (23rd June) Dr Rogers visited Vinh City on the 15th -22nd 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 31st 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

they are keen to continue working with the project to produce a crop of cabbages with planting starting in late October

This preliminary trial;

• Demonstrated new marketing links between supermarkets (e.g Metro Cash and Carry initially) and farmers that will increase farmer income and result in higher vegetable quality in retail outlets

• Improved pre-harvest technologies to produce high quality cucurbit crops

• Improved quality standards and quality assurance cucurbit crops to meet market expectations

5.3 Capacity Building

Two Vietnamese scientists were invited to Australia in August 2007 and they have increased their understanding of brassica and cucurbit production and quality assurance

Growers that participated in the first trials have also developed their agricultural production skills and have been introduced to a new market and supply chain which they can build on in future trials

5.4 Publicity

Information has been disseminated through the Farmer Field School program and by workshops held during Dr Rogers visit in July 2007

5.5 Project Management

Administration of money will be carried out by the Applied Horticultural Research Ltd (AHR) following a novation agreement with the University of Sydney research office on the 10th March 2007

The Agricultural Science Institute of Northern Central Vietnam (ASINCV) is the lead organisation in Vietnam ASINCV conducts research in the field of agricultural 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

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

The initial trials have shown the proposed methodology is achievable and we are encouraged to continue A longer lead time for planning the next crop of cabbages should mean we have a greater success in the marker for this product

8 Next Critical Steps

1 Organise and manage the cabbage production and trials in Nghe An province

2 Design and carryout the baseline survey of farm production systems

3 Develop a GAP manual for Brassica and Cucurbit crops

4 Update the postharvest information on the Postharvest training CD from a previous CARD project After the first 6 months of the project the project team has decided that it is important to provide information in a format that is useful for growers and marketers and it is still not clear whether updated information on the Postharvest CD is going to be as useful as originally

planned It may be better to develop a CD that uses an html format allowing links between production sections, project research results and even relevant videos and photos that relate more specifically to the cops and supply chain

we are developing during the life of the project

5 Complete the baseline survey of farmers This will be completed in March

2008 rather than December 2007 The team feels that better data will be

collected if it is collected during the production season when the information

is fresh in farmer’s minds rather than recalling events The first cabbage

season runs from October 2007 until March 2008

9 Conclusion

The project commenced on the 1st March 2007, 3 months later than the original 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