ACIAR has a program of annual consultations with major partner organisations in Vietnam to discuss program strategies and new projects. Regional consultations to establish specific priorities for cooperation in south-central coastal Vietnam were held in March 2008, and for northwestern highland regions in September 2008. The full record of the consultations is at <www.aciar.gov.au>. The majority of ACIAR-supported informal and postgraduate research degree training will continue to be delivered within the context of active projects; however, ACIAR will also support short-course training in selected areas.
Indicative priorities are grouped under the following subprogram themes.
Subprogram 1: Securing Vietnamese market competitiveness and resilience to biosecurity and climate change challenges
Assessment of domestic structural impacts of trade agreements, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards and market access
Enhancement of quarantine capacity, particularly relating to disease diagnosis and management
Risk assessment of climate change to rice production in the Mekong Delta, region and analysis of technical and policy approaches to reduce emissions from rice-based systems.
Subprogram 2: Development of high-value aquaculture industries
Introduction of cost-effective and environmentally friendly aquaculture feeds
Development of profitable and environmentally responsible grow-out technologies for marine cage culture and pond culture in sandy coastal areas
Transfer of existing knowledge from ACIAR aquaculture projects, particularly for culture of high-value species.
Subprogram 3: Towards higher value plantation forestry products
(regional focus: north-eastern Vietnam, Red River Valley, central highlands)
Development of technologies for fast-growing forest plantations for high and sustainable productivity, particularly on degraded soils
Improvement of plantation wood processing efficiency, especially for small eucalypts and acacias through smallscale sawing, drying and preservation, and through development of engineered products.
Subprogram 4: Optimising resource management for profitable and sustainable agricultural production in south-central coastal Vietnam
(provincial focus: Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh)
Analysis of markets and supply chains to identify critical points for selected commodities, to focus technical intervention for delivery of market impact
Enhancements in supply-chain performance, including assessment of incentives for improved quality at the farmer level, including better post-harvest handling
Development of sustainable crop production systems that target market opportunities through:
integrated management strategies for efficient use of available nutrient and water resources for improving soil fertility and sustaining crop production
sustainable irrigation practices that make greatest use of on-farm water resources and protect groundwater resources from salinisation
sustainable and cost-effective cropping systems suited to local conditions, including intercropping systems using legumes with cashew and mango, and interventions to increase the profitability and productivity of vegetable cropping
Better integration of beef cattle production with crop production systems through:
analysis of factors affecting the efficiency of fattening cattle for the development of feeding options at different times of the year
use of available on-farm and off-farm feed resources
evaluation of benefits of using cattle manure for soil structural and fertility improvement in crop production.
Subprogram 5: Poverty reduction through market engagement for smallholders in the northern and north-western highlands
(provincial focus: Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai)
Better integration of smallholders into profitable markets for high value crops, through:
market and supply chain analysis to identify critical points to enhance stakeholder relationships and focus technical interventions to improve competitiveness
alternative methods for smallholders to access local markets and improved market information
market research and quality standards development for enhanced market access for fresh and processed products
improving production and processing technologies for temperate fruit and vegetables
Improved natural resources management to sustain crop productivity and profitability on sloping lands through:
improving crop nutrient and land management techniques on sloping lands
alternative second crop options and integration of agro-forestry into farming systems
quantifying soil fertility changes under different cropping systems and integration of local knowledge to improve management
Improved management and marketing systems for smallholder ruminants and pigs through:
identification of constraints in the livestock supply chains
improved feed availability and integration of appropriate forage varieties into the farming system
improved management of reproduction and disease prevention and control
Enhanced capacity of local service providers (public and private sector) to increase the long-term sustainability and profitability of smallholders through:
alternative methods for delivery of advisory services appropriate for ethnic minorities
identification of policies that support more sustainable use of sloping lands.
