Overview
The aim of this project was to increase smallholder engagement in competitive value chains associated with two farming systems, one based around maize and the other temperate fruit.
Lack of market integration, inappropriate and unsustainable land management and limited ability of poor smallholders (mostly ethnic minority people) to absorb risk have resulted in continued poverty within the north-western highlands region of Vietnam. Project work first focussed on promising locations where the two farming systems were practised and there had been recent improvement in market connectivity.
The project initially identified and analysed constraints, needs and opportunities for the target groups. Subsequent activities involved on-farm activities to introduce and evaluate improved crop management approaches and value chain development for marketing produce. Pilot trials enabled the research team to select promising methodologies that could be subsequently incorporated into government and non-government development strategies.
