Project Technical Report:" Capacity Building in Applied Natural Resource Economics and Management for Vietnam - Milestone 5 " docx

Institute Information Project Name Capacity Building in Applied Natural Resource Economics and Management for Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Faculty of Economics and Rural Development,

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Project Progress Report

(Milestone 5) Capacity Building in Applied Natural Resource Economics and Management for Vietnam

(Project No 025/05VIE) THIRD SIX-MONTHLY REPORT

Date:

Table of Contents

1 Institute Information 1

2 Project Abstract 2

3 Executive Summary 2

4 Introduction and Background 3

4.1 Project Objective 3

4.2 Key Stakeholders 3

4.3 Project Approach 4

4.4 Methodology 4

5 Progress to Date 5

5.1 Implementation Highlights 5

5.2 Smallholder Benefits 5

5.3 Capacity Building 6

5.4 Publicity 6

5.5 Project Management 7

6 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 7

6.1 Environment 7

6.2 Gender and Social Issues 7

7 Implementation and Sustainability Issues 7

7.1 Issues and Constraints 7

7.2 Options 8

7.3 Sustainability 8

8 Next Critical Steps 8

9 Conclusion 8

10 Statutory Declaration Error! Bookmark not defined 11 Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs 9

Annex 1 Detailed description of proposed/performed project activities and outputs 13

Annex 2 Workshop Questionnaires, Extension Workshops, January 2007 17

Annex 3 CARD Extension Course: Natural Resource Economics and Management, Hanoi, 16-20 July 2007 23

Annex 4 List of Participants; Extension Workshop, Hanoi, 16-20 July 2007 24

Annex 5 CARD Extension Course: Natural Resource Economics and Management, Soc Trang, 23-27 July 2007 26

Annex 6 List of Participants; Extension Workshop Soc Trang, 23-27 July 2007 27

Annex 7 Workshop Competency Tests and Evaluations, July 2007 28

1 Institute Information

Project Name Capacity Building in Applied Natural Resource

Economics and Management for Vietnam

Vietnamese Institution Faculty of Economics and Rural Development,

Hanoi Agricultural University Gialam, Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr Tran Dinh Thao

Australian Organisation Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

Australian Personnel Emeritus Professor Thomas Gordon MacAulay

Date commenced January 1, 2006

Completion date (original) June 30, 2008

Completion date (revised)

Contact Officer(s)

In Australia: Team Leader

Name: Emeritus Prof T Gordon MacAulay Telephone: 61 2 9888 9600

Position: Emeritus Professor Fax: 61 2 9888 5821

Organisation Faculty of Agriculture, Food and

Natural Resources University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Email: g.macaulay@usyd.edu.au

a.vervoort@usyd.edu.au

In Australia: Administrative contact

Name: Ms Luda Kuchieva Telephone: 61 2 9351 7903

Position: Administration officer Fax: 61 2 9351 3256

Organisation Research Grants

University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Email: Luda.kuchieva@usyd.edu.au

In Vietnam

Name: Mr Tran Dinh Thao Telephone: 84 48 769 770

Position: Senior Lecturer, Vice Dean Fax: 84 48 276 554

Organisation Faculty of Economics and Rural

Development Hanoi Agricultural University Gialam, Hanoi, Vietnam

Email: thaoktl@hau1.edu.vn

Or pvhung@hau1.edu.vn pvhung.hau@vnn.vn

2 Project Abstract

With very rapid growth and development in Vietnam, there is a danger of overuse and mismanagement of natural resources, thus compromising sustainable development The level of knowledge, understanding and use of the principles of natural resource economics (NRE) and management is limited in Vietnamese agriculture The designed outcome of the project is to begin to have resource management concepts used in various institutions in Vietnam (Universities, MARD, and the extension system) and to strengthen the ability to deliver knowledge, set policies and advise farmers in this area This outcome is being approached through a participatory approach using workshops in Vietnam on natural resource economics held by the University of Sydney staff and the staff of the participating organizations One training workshop each in Hanoi and Can Tho, and four extension workshops, two each in Hanoi and Can Tho, Vietnam have already been conducted at the provincial level by Vietnamese staff with participation of the University of Sydney team members, thus transferring the acquired knowledge to extension specialists and thereby eventually to smallholder farmers Two of the Vietnamese scholars had three-month visits to the University of Sydney in 2006 and two more Vietnamese scholars have visited Sydney from August- October 2007

so as to broaden their understanding of NRE and to undertake research projects unde the guidance of academics at the University of Sydney In the next stage, five training workshops/field days with farmers will be conducted to demonstrate the use and practical knowledge and skills in resource management

3 Executive Summary

The project is aimed at strengthening the teaching and research capacity in the field of natural resource economics in several key Vietnamese Institutions (a number of Universities, MARD and provincial and regional extension systems) and encouraging the transfer of knowledge from the University teaching and research staff to extension staff and farmers The project is also designed to strengthen the use of resource management concepts in Vietnam through a participatory approach using training workshops in Vietnam

on natural resource economics in three stages

First Stage (Reported in 1st Six Monthly Report)

Second Stage (a part of the second stage was also reported in 2nd Six Monthly Report)

As a part of the second stage of the project two extension workshops were held at Hanoi (26 participants) and Can Tho (20 participants) in July 2007 The aim of the workshops was to address the strategic questions of strengthened and broadened capacity for economics training of extension personnel in Vietnam In the second stage of the project, collaboration on curricula in natural resource and environmental economics with HAU and Can Tho University has been intensified

Two research scholars from Vietnam arrived at The University of Sydney (Ms Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen on 1st August 2007 and Mr Linh Duy Nguyen on 8th August 2007), to undertake guided research projects and to have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge

of natural resource economics It was an opportunity for these scholars to interact with the academic staff and to use the facilities of the University of Sydney

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In the third stage of the project, pilot extension workshops for farmers will be conducted with a focus on economically efficient natural resource management, where practical knowledge and skills in resource management will be demonstrated and discussed The participants in the extension workshops will lead these workshops

As Vietnam is experiencing rapid development and exposure to markets, enormous pressure

is put on the nation’s natural resources Because of market imperfections and failures, especially with respect to various natural resources, there is a danger of resource overuse and collapse, resulting in economic inefficiencies, and social and environmental problems Adequate knowledge of economics and the management of natural resources becomes a crucial factor in the quest for stable and sustainable long-term development Such knowledge is lacking at the academic, research and extension levels and therefore also at the farm level This project will strengthen the teaching and research capacity in the field of natural resource economics in several key Vietnamese institutions of higher education (Hanoi Agricultural University (HAU), Hue College of Economics (HCE), Can Tho University (CTU) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Xuanmai Forestry University, Thai Nguyen University, National Centre for Extension, and the College for Agriculture and Rural Development Managers) This will, in part, be accomplished through assistance in curriculum development and course design and transfer

of research expertise and an ongoing interaction with the academic staff responsible for courses The project is also designed to foster links between the Universities and extension system and will encourage the transfer of knowledge from the university teaching and research staff to the extension staff The University of Sydney staff members who are part

of the team are currently involved in teaching and research activities concerning water, land and fisheries economics, as well as the economics of the environment and sustainable development

4.1 Project Objective

The project links to the CARD strategic objective 2.1 of increasing rural productivity and particularly 2.1.1 of increasing agricultural efficiency and competitiveness The project also links to strategic objectives 2.4 of reducing vulnerability to environmental and economic shocks and the intermediate objective 2.4.2 of increasing stability of household incomes through encouraging diversification of production and marketing

4.2 Key Stakeholders

There are three levels of stakeholders/beneficiaries that have been directly and indirectly targeted by the project The first level is comprised of academic, research and policy analysis staff at the Vietnamese institutions of higher education (Hanoi Agricultural University (HAU), Hue College of Economics (HCE), Can Tho University (CTU) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Xuanmai Forestry University, Thai Nguyen University, National Centre for Extension, and the College for Agriculture and Rural Development Managers) They have benefited through training sessions in Vietnam held by University of Sydney staff and through visits to Australia by four research scholars from the Vietnamese these institutions The aim was to specifically address their capacity to pass on the acquired knowledge to the next level of beneficiaries – the extension specialists

at the provincial level and the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) staff members The extension specialists have benefited through the workshops within this

project conducted in Vietnam by the Vietnamese universities (two training workshops, one each in Hanoi and Can Tho and four extension workshops, two each in Hanoi and Can Tho have been held) Through a variety of consultations and the training it is expected that natural resource economics principles will be incorporated into the guidelines, directives and advice that provincial level authorities provide for farmers The transmission to farmers will be through the district and community level extension specialists Within the project, several pilot workshops will be conducted at this level to initiate the knowledge transfer process The farmers are expected to directly benefit from these workshops through gaining skills in more efficient management of natural resources on the farm, as well as greater use

of more sustainable farming practices It is to be expected that many of the ideas and information presented in the workshops will filter through the agricultural system in a whole variety of ways

4.3 Project Approach

The proposed project is designed to strengthen capacity in natural resource economics in Vietnam in a layered framework In the first layer, and after considerable consultation, the University of Sydney staff have provided research, teaching and policy analysis training to Vietnamese academics, policy analysts and extension specialists at a national level This training was based in the context of the problems and issues identified in the farmer surveys In the second layer, those trained in the first layer trained the extension specialists and policy analysts at a provincial level (two extension workshops) The training was basically designed to impact the advice and information provided to farmers on the use of natural resources This was demonstrated through two more district level workshops (one each in Can Tho and Hanoi) In the third layer, pilot extension workshops for farmers are being conducted, with a focus on economically efficient natural resource management The University of Sydney will provide assistance in this process through participation and input

to the design of the extension workshops However, the participants in the extension workshops will provide the basic training so they have an opportunity, under some guidance, to develop skills in presenting this material at the farm level The approach to capacity building through workshops and training sessions has been successfully implemented in a previous CARD project (Pilot Program)

4.3.1 Institutional Capacity Building: The approach to institutional capacity building is

through four types of activities: training workshops; curriculum development at the level

of Vietnamese institutions (Universities and MARD); visits of a small number of research scholars from Vietnamese institutions to Australia; and fostering and initiating joint research projects in the area of natural resource economics.

4.3.2 Communication/Outreach Approach The main approach to communication and

outreach is being made through extension workshops that have been conducted in the Mekong Delta at Can Tho University, and in the north of Vietnam at Hanoi Agricultural University (two extension workshops each have been held in Hanoi and Can Tho) These workshops addressed the strategic questions of strengthened and broadened capacity for natural resource management training of extension personnel in Vietnam Once this capacity is strengthened it will provide a continuing human resource base, which can be sustained into the future This will also result in an improved advisory capacity of the selected extension staff (emphasis was placed on ensuring that a reasonable balance of both males and females are trained and that participants from the north, the south and the central provinces of Vietnam have been involved) and an improved ability to provide advice with

an economic content in relation to resource use at the farm level

4.4 Methodology

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4.4.1 R&D Methodology: The research approach used in the project is through scholars

undertaking research into a set of quite specific resource use issues designed to provide background for the training modules and to expand the knowledge base in resource management Where appropriate this research will also feed into the curriculum development process

It is envisaged that the project will have a significant research component in the form of economic analysis of the issues related to aquaculture, water use, land use and farm forestry Two studies on aquaculture have already been completed to varying degrees The associated research papers are entitled “The Efficiency of Prawn Production in the Mekong Delta” by Ms Do Thi Den which was presented to the AARES Annual Conference in January 2007 in Queenstown, New Zealand and “Alternative Systems of Shrimp Culture in

The Lagoon Area of Thua Thien, Hue, Vietnam” by Ms Le Thi Kim Lien (a working

paper) Two more studies on natural resource economics have been conducted by the second group of visiting scholars, Mr Linh Duy Nguyen and Ms Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen

It is intended to develop simple examples using computer simulation in spreadsheets as applied to a variety of cases of on-farm resource issues

4.4.2 Participatory Methods: On-going consultations with the major stakeholders will be

conducted in order to, in the first place determine the nature of the training and extension activities, and subsequently to obtain feedback and then re-address some of the key issues This will assist in developing the priority areas for training The expertise in HAU in participatory extension will be fully utilised (Linh, 2004) The case study material will be developed in consultation with extension personnel and a small number of farmers Care will be taken to also ensure a balance of males and females in these consultations

5 Progress to Date

5.1 Implementation Highlights

- Extension workshops held in Hanoi (16-20 July 2007) with 26 participants and Soc

Trang (23-27 July 2007) with 20 participants (refer to Annex 3-6 for details and

attached workshop presentation slides)

-Two research scholars; Ms Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen and Mr Linh Duy Nguyen visited The University of Sydney for three months as visiting scholars in August 2007 Their stay in Sydney will be up to the end of October 2007

- A workshop evaluation report is being prepared for the extension workshops held in Hanoi and Can Tho in January 2008

5.2 Smallholder Benefits

Smallholder benefits from the project are expected to start flowing as a result of both the first and second set of extension workshops The first set of workshops were targeting predominantly provincial level extension staff who are expected to pass on some of the gained knowledge further down the extension chain In addition, the second set of workshops (conducted in July, 2007) were aimed at district level extension workers with an expectation that increasing their capacity to deliver extension in natural resource economics

will result with more direct smallholder benefits Overall, while the smallholder benefits from this project are expected to take some time (3-5 years) to start being apparent, a number of the necessary steps have been undertaken towards the planned delivery of those smallholder benefits

5.3 Capacity Building

Capacity building is an integral part of the project design The second stage of the project includes a significant amount of training in extension methods related to natural resource use in the extension workshops held at Hanoi and Can Tho in July 2007 and January 2008 These workshops addressed the strategic questions of strengthened and broadened capacity for natural resource management training of extension personnel in Vietnam The workshops were also aimed at improving the advisory capacity of the selected extension staff and also improving the ability to provide advice with an economic content in relation

to resource use at the farm level

At each of the workshops held in July 2007 in Hanoi and in Soc Trang pre- and knowledge evaluations were undertaken along with a post workshop evaluation (Annex 2) For the competency evaluations there were apparent gains for all but one of the questions in each location In Hanoi there appeared to be some confusion about the nature of an externality and in Soc Trang some confusion about the effects of a pesticide tax There were strong gains in responses for most of the other questions The overall evaluations of the quality of the workshops measured with a weighted average score were 8.1 out of 10 for Hanoi (a very good score) and for Soc Trang a score of 6.4 out of 10 In Hanoi there was a lower score about the appropriateness of the length of the workshop (most likely indicating it was too short) In Soc Trang the weaker results were in relation to the appropriateness of the length of the workshop and the balance of the topics Overall, the results of the evaluations seem generally very satisfactory

post-Two research scholars from Vietnam arrived at The University of Sydney (Ms Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen on 1st August 2007 and Mr Linh Duy Nguyen on 8th August 2007), so as to broaden their understanding on Natural Resource Economics Their stay at Sydney,

Australia was for three months and during this period the visiting scholars worked on mini research projects related to Natural Resource Economics Ms Thi Thu Huyen worked on research entitled “Evaluating the Benefits of Site Specific Crop Management of Nitrogen Application to Rice Production”and Mr Linh Duy Nguyen on research entitled “Valuing the option to convert from extensive to intensive farming of shrimp production in

Vietnam” (The details of the research will be provided in the project milestones 6 and 7.)

5.4 Publicity

The publicity for the extension workshops conducted in July 2007 was through publishing information in the newsletter of Hanoi Agricultural University Information has also been placed on the project website

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5.5 Project Management

The project team in Sydney have set up a series of approximately fortnightly meetings and links to the project team in Vietnam using email This has been effective in ensuring activities are suitably co-ordinated and that preparation for workshops is completed on time

6 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues

6.1 Environment

The environmental impact of the project is expected to be positive The main aim of the project is to train individuals in key Vietnamese institutions, extension personnel and ultimately farmers and resource managers to manage their resources in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way Rather than simply focusing on the more intensive use of the

resources to increase output, the project will emphasise the efficiency in resource use in its

inclusive sense Efficiency comprises overall social efficiency (including environmental values) rather than simply maximizing value of the output Based on experience in Australia, the University of Sydney can provide training that addresses some of the problems with natural resource management Because Vietnam is undergoing an intensive period of change and development with a focus on economic growth, such transfer of experience will hopefully result in more efficient and sustainable resource use, rather than a repeat of mistakes that Western societies have made in the past The project will address the importance of various aspects of resource use, including those not obvious or apparent

at the moment, but important for long-term sustainable resource use These include accounting for amenity values of environmental assets, and accounting for resource scarcity, where the institutional framework may not mean that resource scarcity is properly reflected in prices

6.2 Gender and Social Issues

In the extension workshops held in Hanoi and Soc Trang in July 2007 the balance between males and females was as follows:

Hanoi 20 males and 6 females Can Tho 13 males and 7 females

7 Implementation and Sustainability Issues

7.1 Issues and Constraints

The competition for the time of the team members amongst competing activities and the misplacement of some survey data has been of concern for team members and this has resulted in delays in reporting on the project milestones

This part will be reported in the project completion report

The project has achieved the relevant milestones as specified in the project proposal The next critical step is to complete the evaluation report for the extension workshops held in Can Tho and Hanoi in July 2007 Several pilot workshops will be conducted in the North and South in January 2008 to initiate the knowledge transfer process to farmers The farmers are expected to directly benefit from these workshops through gaining skills in more efficient management of natural resources on the farm, as well as greater use of more sustainable farming practices The next major milestone to be completed is the Research Technical Report No 2 followed by a pilot training program in July 2008

7.2 Options

The time constraints, in both Sydney and in Vietnam with growing student numbers, are a difficult challenge Efficient use of the available time has been essential More detailed and careful management for storage of documents has been implemented

11 Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs

Project Title: Capacity Building in Applied Natural Resource Economics and Management for Vietnam

Vietnamese Implementing Institution: The Faculty of Economics and Rural Development

Hanoi Agricultural University

Narrative Information Required Performance

Measures

OBJECTIVES General Objective

To increase the application of the principles

of natural resource economics and management in the Vietnamese higher education sector, policy formation bodies, extension system and ultimately smallholder farms and resource managers

Specific Objectives

1 To increase training and research capacity of the Vietnamese Universities

in natural resource economics

2 To increase the capacity of the extension system to provide advice on sustainable and efficient use and management of natural resources

Policy changes in funds dedicated to natural resource management; number

of regions and districts wher extension workshops will have been held;

changes to curriculum

Implementation of knowledge builds through the project

e

Number of staff trained, Number of research publications >3, Number of courses using material from training programs in the curriculum Number of extension staff trained (with a special consideration of the number of female

Administrative support Time availability Motivation to learn is high

Administrative support Time availability Motivation to learn is

Policy changes needs longer time horizon

Curriculum change has been initiated

Reported in 1st progress report

25 (Hanoi) + 26 (Can Tho) provincial level extension staffs participated in second workshops (January 2007)

9 female participants in Can Tho and 6 in Hanoi (January 2007)

3 To increase understanding and application of natural resource economics in policy setting by MARD

4 To increase farmer awareness and application of principles of natural resource economics use and management

staff trained)

Regional emphasis.

Number of MARD staff involved in training program

Number of farmers contacted by trained extension staff

high

Assumed that test measurements provide

an indication of the benefit of the workshops Attendance at workshops has an impact on awareness

26 (Hanoi) + 20 (Can Tho) provincial level extension staff participated in the second workshops (July 2007)

7 female participants in Can Tho and 6 in Hanoi (July 2007)

Reported in 1st Progress Report

8 Department of Agricultural and Rural Development staff, Hanoi (July 2007)

20 Extension Station staff at Soc Trang (July 2007)

1.2 Research publications 1.3 Training workshops

2.1 Training modules in natural resource management and extension

2.2 Agricultural modules in natural resource management and extension

Curriculum developed

Number of publications Number of workshop participants

Extension packages

of information developed Number and gender mix of extension specialists trained

Student interest Staff motivation Time delays

Assumed that test measurements provide

an indication of the benefit of the workshops Post training surveys are a valid measure of levels of knowledge changes

Interaction with relevant teaching staff at Hanoi Agricultural University and CanTho Universities has been continuedin relation

to curriculum development (Reported in Technical Report, Project Milestone 3)

Two Research papers prepared and one delivered to a conference

59 Participants for July 2007 Workshop

41 males

18 females Reported in 1st progress report

Post-training surveys generally indicating a significant impact on understanding of natural resource management issues surveyed

2.3 Agricultural knowledge information system website

3.1 Policy advice in the form of briefing notes

3.2 Decision support models in spreadsheet form

4.1 Brochures/handbooks for farmers explaining key aspects of on-farm natural resource management

Web site operational Policy briefs written

Decision support models created Handbooks prepared

• Extension workshops held in CanTho, Hue and Hanoi (Jul 07)

• Research scholar chosen and travelled

to Sydney (Jul 07)

• Mini research projects initiated (Sept 07)

Reported in 1st progress report

Reported in 2nd progress report

Extension workshops held in Soc Trang (20 Participants) and Hanoi (26 Participants with a number from the Central Provinces) Two research scholars travelled to Sydney in August 2007 as visiting scholars for the period of 3 months

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• Pilot ‘Demonstration sessions’ for farmers in the North and South ((Dec 07)

• Pilot ‘Demonstration sessions’ for farmers in the North and South and Centre (Mar 08)

• Project completion meeting, project report and policy briefs and discussion held on possible adoption

of material in academic programs (Jun 08)

Still to come (no reason to change)

INPUTS

5 Australian Personnel with a total of 160 days in Vietnam (including 13 trips to Vietnam) and 392.5 days in Australia

10 Vietnamese Personnel with a total of 750 days in Vietnam.

Inputs as indicated in the original project proposal currently remain

as specified

Cumulative totals Australian team in Vietnam 110 days Australian team domestic 360.5 days Vietnamese team 365 days

Annex 1 Detailed description of proposed/performed project activities and outputs

Note: Details repeated in this section for documentation and convenience of the reader

Project Activities

a) Trainer Workshops for Vietnamese academics, MARD staff and National Extension Centre staff

2 training courses in Hanoi and Can Tho (one in each location)

- Duration for each training course: 10 days

- Participants: Lecturers in universities (HAU, TUAF, HCE, CTU, UF, etc.), researchers in

institutes, extension personnel at national level, policy analysts from MARD)

- Number of participants: 26 (Hanoi), 19 (Can Tho)

- Preparation:

University of Sydney project members worked on training packages used in workshops (teaching modules, research materials, demonstration software etc.) Vietnamese Universities conducted a detailed survey of farmers in various regions of Vietnam (North, Centre, South) in order to identify the most pressing natural resource issues and summarised and prioritised the needs for training and research

- Preliminary Content of the workshops Content below have been distributed across

workshops appropriately and not necessarily duplicated in each workshop

1 Introduction to Natural Resource and Environmental Economics (concepts, history, role, significance, methods, etc.)

2 Market Failure: (reasons, types and solutions) Government Failure

3 Externalities: Review of microeconomic theory (utility and demand, cost, profits and supply) Defining the externality Classification of externalities Externalities in natural resource use

4 Valuation of natural resources and the environment (Concepts, methods and applications)

5 Property rights (Coase theorem and the role of government in natural resource use)

6 Dynamic efficiency in natural resource use (time, discounting etc.)

7 Natural resource and environmental policy

8 Applied topics in natural resource economics (water economics, fishery economics, economics of soil conservation, forestry economics) These will be supported by training in using EXCEL worksheets for optimisation, linear programming, etc

9 Social impacts of natural resource use and sustainability

10 Conceptualizing and developing modules for the extension workshops (a small number of provincial level extension specialists will be invited for consultation purposes)

b) Extension workshops at provincial level and district level

5 workshops in Hanoi (2), Hue (1), Can Tho (2) Two workshops each in Hanoi and Can Tho have been held

- Duration for each workshop: five days

- Participants: Officials of extension institutions at provincial level, provincial leaders of

various related departments (DARD), District level extension workers etc

- Number of participants: 30

- Content: Content below may be distributed across workshops appropriately and not

necessarily duplicated in each workshop To be decided during the training courses, but likely to include:

1 Natural resource management, emphasis on specific local resources

2 Water resource management: Economics of collective water use, water quality and application volume and timing, water management in a community

3 Land use management: Economics of land use in terms of crop patterns and alternatives to rice, economics of soil conservation, land property rights, land pricing, land markets

4 Aquaculture/fishery resources: Economics of sustainable aquaculture, water quality management in aquaculture, fisheries management, etc

5 Forestry: Economics of small-scale forestry, community based forestry management, forestry combination models, sustainable forestry management, forest conservation, etc

agro-6 Environment and pollution: solutions for pollution problems (taxes, tradable permits, standards)

8 New approaches in agricultural extension

9 Issues related to policy, institutional arrangements, and legal issues

10 Gender roles in extension

11 Gender in natural resource management

12 Methods and measures in disseminating knowledge and transferring technology

c) Pilot (Demonstration) extension workshops at district (farm) level

5 pilot workshops conducted in districts of the Northern, Central and Southern provinces

- Duration for each workshop: 2 days

Participants: District and communal level extension workers and farmers from a given

district To be conducted on a settlements basis and using groups such as Plant protection Units and Veterinary Stations, Mass Organizations, etc Farmer training might also involve Extension Clubs

- Number of participants: 30

- Content: To be decided during the training and extension workshops, but likely to include:

basic economics principles in natural resource management, applied decision making at the farm level using novel teaching methods such as games and budget exercises:

- Optimal cropping patterns and soil conservation practices

- Optimal diets and harvest size for marketing in aquaculture

- Optimal plant/harvest rotation for farm forestry

- Optimal crop choice in the face of irrigation canal congestion

d) Visiting staff from Vietnamese institutions at the University of Sydney

4 visiting scholars from Vietnamese institutions to participate in teaching and research activities at the University of Sydney (2 scholars have already visited and two to visit in July 2007)

- Duration: 14 weeks

- Activities: Attending and participating in lectures in various natural resource and

environmental economics units of study Visit to NSW Agriculture’s Economics branch with special emphasis on their extension activities Participating in various research activities at the University of Sydney (literature research, data analysis, discussions) including a completion of a research project and a research seminar on a chosen research topic given by the Vietnamese scholar

e) Curriculum for teaching Natural Resource Economics to undergraduate students

Curriculum in natural resource economics to be developed for implementation at the HAU, CTU and HCE Contingent on existing units of study to be modified and updated and new units of study to be designed and proposed

Duration: on going, but anticipated to start early in the project, so that the deliverables will

be available towards the mid part of the second year of the project

Activities: Curricula meetings Joint work on unit proposals Exchange of teaching

materials and methods

f) Agricultural knowledge information system website

The material produced and collected during the project will be assembled and posted on a web site to provide accessibility by the extension staff nation wide The website may evolve into a site for the presentation of extension relevant research produced in universities and suitable for extension staff It is planned to start with planning activities related to the web site in the very early stages of the project A staff member from HAU to started working on the web design (January 2006) and now the website has been established and is currently in demo version (http://www.hau1.info/card/index.php?newlang=english)

g) Policy briefs

The project will deliver a number of policy briefs (4 – 5) dealing with economically efficient and _sustainable management of natural resources in Vietnam The policy briefs will be produced as a result of research activities on specific natural resources in Vietnam This may include: water, soil, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture etc The briefs will be compiled, written and delivered to MARD and other interested parties (2 policy briefs prepared)

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