Báo cáo nghiên cứu nông nghiệp " Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems " ppt

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Completion Report
Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese
vegetables through research and capacity building
in quality assurance, postharvest management and
high technology protected cropping systems

Project 004/04VI

1


Table of Contents
1.

Institute Information ___________________________________________________ 1

2.

Project Abstract _______________________________________________________ 3

3.

Executive Summary ____________________________________________________ 3

4.

Introduction & Background _____________________________________________ 4

5.

Progress to Date _______________________________________________________ 5
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.1.5

Implementation Highlights ________________________________________________ 5
Protected cropping trials ________________________________________________________ 5
Evaluation of Vietnamese cocopeat _______________________________________________ 5
Capacity building of research and extension personnel ________________________________ 7
Fostering practice-change in farmers and other supply chain partners ____________________ 10
Supply chains mapped ________________________________________________________ 12

5.2
5.3

Capacity Building _______________________________________________________ 13

5.4

Publicity _______________________________________________________________ 14

5.5

6.

Smallholder Benefits_____________________________________________________ 13

Project Management ____________________________________________________ 14

Report on Cross-Cutting Issues__________________________________________ 14
6.1
6.2

7.

Environment ___________________________________________________________ 14
Gender and Social Issues _________________________________________________ 14

Implementation & Sustainability Issues ___________________________________ 14
7.1

Issues and Constraints ___________________________________________________ 14

7.2

Options________________________________________________________________ 14

7.3

Sustainability___________________________________________________________ 15

8.

Next Critical Steps ____________________________________________________ 15

9.

Conclusion __________________________________________________________ 15

1


1. Institute Information
Project Name

Improving the safety and quality of
Vietnamese vegetables through research
and capacity building in quality assurance,
postharvest management and high
technology protected cropping systems.

Vietnamese Institution

Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute
(FAVRI)
Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi

Vietnamese Project Team Leader

Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Khac Thi

Australian Organisation

Industry and Investment, NSW (formerly
NSW DPI)
Gosford Primary Industries Institute

Centre of Excellence in Market Access
and Greenhouse Horticulture
Incorporating the National Centre for
Greenhouse Horticulture

Australian Personnel

Dr Suzie Newman (Australian Project
Leader)
Dr Sophie Parks
Mr Joseph Ekman
Dr Vong Nguyen (retired, former Project
Leader)

Date commenced

30th September 2005

Completion date (original)

30th September 2007

Completion date (revised)

31st May 2008

Reporting period

Final Report

Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Dr Suzie Newman
Telephone:
Project Leader,
Fax:
Research Horticulturist
Email:
Organisation Industry and
Investment, NSW
(formerly NSW
Name:
Position:

+61 2 4348 1934
+61 2 4348 1910


1


Department of Primary
Industries)
In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Position:

Mr Graham Denney
Manager External
Funding

Organisation Industry and
Investment, NSW

Telephone:
Fax:
Email:



In Vietnam
Name:
Position:

Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Khac Thi

Project Leader, Deputy Director,
Head of Vegetable and Spice
Department
Organisation Fruit and Vegetable Research
Institute (FAVRI)

Telephone:
Fax:

84-4-8276316

Email:

;

84-4-8276148

2


2. Project Abstract
Protected cropping provides vegetable growers with an opportunity to enhance product
quality and improve food safety. The overall objective of this project was to provide
Vietnamese scientists and extension specialists with the training and tools to implement
and foster regionally feasible improvements to current vegetable production practices and
supply chains. This was achieved through: 1) greenhouse replicated experiments and
demonstration trials in Northern, Central and Southern Vietnam; 2) four in-country
workshops and 3) two Australian study tours for research and extension personnel. Key
highlights of the project have included: 1) Adaptation of technologies by both farmers and
researchers to Vietnamese conditions; 2) Utilisation of hydroponic systems in both a
research and demonstration trial context; 3) Enhanced capacity of Vietnamese research
and extension personnel and 4) Economic analysis of protected cropping systems for
tomatoes and cucumbers.

3. Executive Summary
Vietnamese consumer demands for safe and high quality vegetables, have led to a reexamination of current production methods. Protected cropping including rain shelters, net
houses and greenhouse structures, provides one alternative system that can not only improve
quality out-turn, facilitate counter-seasonal production but also lead to reduced pesticide
usage and associated food safety concerns. This project was designed to build capacity in the
design and utilisation of such systems and the components of such systems eg. hydroponic
systems in a Vietnamese context.
The overall objective of this project was to provide
Vietnamese scientists and extension specialists with the training and tools to implement and
foster regionally feasible improvements to current vegetable production practices and supply

chains. The project was led by the Fruit and Vegetables Research Institute (FAVRI) with
Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF) and the Institute of Agricultural
Sciences for South Vietnam (IAS) as the Vietnamese project partners. NSW Department of
Primary Industries (now Industry and Investment, NSW) was the Australian partner.
Key achievements of the project have included:
• A series of trials (10 replicated and 4 on-farm demonstration trials) were undertaken
looking at a number of production aspects (including variety, growing media, method
of nutrient application and irrigation) and comparing field and greenhouse production
of tomatoes and cucumbers in Hanoi, Lam Dong and Hue. This has enabled
recommendations to be made regarding appropriate varieties and growing media for
protected cropping systems.
• Vietnamese cocopeat quality was characterised (pH, salinity, colour, water holding
capacity etc.), the water usage of different greenhouse media including coir was
compared and recommendations were made for the improvement of QA procedures at
a Vietnamese cocopeat supplier.
• Seven scientific and conference papers were published in Vietnamese and
International journals
• Supply chains were mapped for 1) tomatoes and tomato seedling production and 2)
Metro vegetable supply chains from Dalat
3


•

•

•
•

Capacity building of research and extension personnel particularly in the use of

hydroponic systems, greenhouse design, postharvest management and GAP systems.
This included training in-country, ‘hands-on’ trial work, but also 8 personnel
undertook 4 week study tours in Australia
Adaptation and application of new technology and practices by Mr Nguyen Hong
Phong, vegetable farmer and seedling producer from Lam Dong province. By the end
of the project this lead farmer was influencing the practices of others through the
formation of a farmer group selling into Metro and the Saigon Co-opmart.
Technical expertise and assistance was also provided to a number of entrerprises
including a cocopeat supplier, high technology greenhouse centres in Hanoi and
Haiphong and farmer groups in Hue and Can Tho.
Four workshops attracting a total of 275 participants (research and extension
personnel, provincial agricultural officers, farmers and other supply chain partners)
were delivered in Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi, Can Tho and Dalat. The workshop covered
protected cropping systems, supply chain management and Good Agricultural
Practice (GAP).

4. Introduction & Background
Protected cropping systems provide vegetable farmers with the opportunity to produce high
yielding, good quality crops with reduced pesticide inputs. Our previous AusAID-CARD
project (0016) focussed on development of a low-tech greenhouse system to enhance the
productivity and sustainability of the Vietnamese vegetable industry. The nethouse with runto-waste cocopeat system was shown to be an effective and cost effective model, however
further optimisation and extension of this technology was required to facilitate successful
adoption. This project focused on providing the tools for optimising vegetable production in
low-medium technology greenhouses and delivering high quality product to market. This
was achieved through formal and informal training initiatives including in-country
workshops, intensive Australian based training programs for research and extension staff and
a series of research demonstration trials. This project uses a participatory research approach to
foster uptake by both Vietnamese institutions and key stakeholders (farmers, extension agents, supply
chain partners).

The objectives of this project were to:
1. Facilitate the wider implementation and adoption of protected cropping systems of
low to medium technology (greenhouses/net houses) that require fewer chemical
inputs through targeted research and extension activities;
2. Examine current supply chain constraints and utilise quality assurance principles to
implement targeted system improvements;
3. Enhance Vietnamese R&D capacity in the areas of protected cropping systems,
postharvest management and quality assurance systems.
4. Fostering links between growers, wholesalers, traders and researchers to increase the
productivity and competitiveness of Vietnamese smallholder agriculture and related
rural enterprises

4


5. Progress to Date
5.1

Implementation Highlights

Whilst details of achievements have been previously highlighted in milestone reports, this
section revisits and summarises those key achievements.

5.1.1 Protected cropping trials
A series of replicated and demonstration trials were undertaken by researchers and extension
project personnel in Hanoi, Hue and Lam Dong to compare protected cropping and
traditional field based systems. Experiments were undertaken to evaluate growing media,
tomato and cucumber variety performance and the use of hydroponic systems. This work
produced 7 publications in international and Vietnamese scientific literature (refer Milestone
7). The results from these trials also enabled recommendations in extension publications

produced regarding the application of protected cropping systems (refer Milestone 8). Not
only were tangible outputs in terms of both scientific papers and extension resources
produced but research and extension personnel’s ability in undertaking robust, independent
and well designed trial work was enhanced.

Photo 1: FAVRI hydroponic lettuce trial

Photo 2: Demonstration trial Lam Dong

5.1.2 Evaluation of Vietnamese cocopeat
Australian and European standards for measuring the physical and chemical characteristics of
growing media were used to evaluate Vietnamese coir and compare it to other samples in the
Australian marketplace. Table 1 shows the results from the heavy metal analysis undertaken
for a range of different samples. A commercial operation in the Mekong Delta was also
visited and recommendations provided on how they could improve the QA aspects of their
business. Developing the market share for Vietnam coir products for use in the greenhouse
and hydroponic industries requires an understanding of product use demands and focus on
process management to consistently achieve product performance characteristics.

5


Sample type

Source origin

Sample of unknown
origin

Unknown

Peat Exceed
Galuku Coco Peat easy
fill

Vietnam

Plant Best soil sponge

Vietnam

Mekong company

Vietnam

Mekong company

Vietnam

Richgro

India

Brunnings Easy Wetta

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Colour

Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange
Greyed
Orange

Colour
code

Aluminium
mg/kg
2.4*

Arsenic
mg/kg
3*

Cadmium
mg/kg

0.9*

Chromium
mg/kg
1*

Copper
mg/kg
0.9*

Nickel
mg/kg
1.3*

Lead
mg/kg
1.7*

Selenium
mg/kg
6.6*

Zinc
mg/kg
1.1*

166 D

1100

<3

<0.9

3.6

3.6

<1.3

<1.7

<6.6

19

177 B

800

<3

<0.9

1.8

4.2

1.7

<1.7

<6.6

19

166 C

1100

<3

<0.9

5.6

5.6

1.8

<1.7

<6.6

16

166 C

440

<3

<0.9

2.9

3.6

6.1

<1.7

<6.6

21

177 B

520

<3

<0.9

3.6

3.7

1.4

<1.7

<6.6

13

165 B

370

<3

<0.9

2.6

3.3

<1.3

<1.7

<6.6

11

165 A

240

<3

<0.9

4.5

4.3

1.5

<1.7

<6.6

9

177 B

500

<3

<0.9

7.1

4.4

<1.3

<1.7

<6.6

13

Table 1: Heavy metal analysis of eight samples of compressed coir bricks of different origin
* - limits of detection)
The Mekong company currently produces a range of coir finished products for domestic and
export customers. The business is equipped to produce a range of products including coir
bricks, seed pots, coir pots in different shapes and coir bricks of different size. Coir seed pots
and bricks/blocks would be products selected for targeting greenhouse and hydroponic
industries. Some quality characteristics beyond the specification for size and shape of the
products would include issues of uniformity in the size of fibres and assuring low
concentrations of salt contaminants.

Photo 3:Coir brick samples

Photo 4: The coir dust is watered down to
remove salts

End product sample blocks shown to the project team varied markedly in their fibre size and
colour, giving the appearance of high variability in the type of end product that would target
the greenhouse and hydroponic industries. Other products used the longer fibres so it
appeared that the blocks were constructed from the remnant quantities. This may lead
unacceptable variability in end product because of physical variability in the processing
material. The process workflow is relatively labour intensive but simple and production has
evidently expanded in time.
A quality management approach is required to minimise the variation in product
characteristics destined for greenhouse hydroponics. Key actions to improve quality

management could include:

6


•
•
•

assessment and profiling of raw material inputs to establish the degree of variability
in supply;
establishing critical limits for the salt washing process step to ensure that residual salt
concentrations are within specifications;
monitor the fibre separation step and steps following to reduce the variability in fibre
size or re-engineer the separation step to improve grading of fibres at that point.

The business needs to set quality benchmarks and monitoring practices at key steps in the
process in order to verify that a consistent end product quality is achieved. Formal adoption
of a quality management standard is not required but may increasingly be demanded by
international customers such as WalMart. However, product quality consistency can be
improved through targeting improvements and monitoring key steps in the process, using
quality systems approaches to minimising non-conformance. This may enhance productive
output and also minimise re-work and waste.
Other issues that may require consideration are diseases and biosecurity concerns.

5.1.3 Capacity building of research and extension personnel
This was a key focus of the project and was achieved in a number of ways including 1)
working collaboratively with Australian colleagues on joint protected cropping trials; 2)
participating in Australian study tours to look at what can be learned from the Australian
industry and how this could be modified and adapted to Vietnamese conditions and 3) the

introduction and trialing of simple low-tech innovations. An example of this was the
hydroponic systems detailed in Milestone 5 (and included as an example here).
Study tours to Australia were undertaken by 6 Vietnamese scientists and extension personnel
(Ms Ngo Thi Hanh (RIFAV), Mr Vu Tuan Minh (HUAF), Mr Ngo Xuan Chinh (IAS), Mrs
Nguyen Thi An (FAVRI, formerly RIFAV), Mr Ngo Minh Dung (IAS), Mr Nguyen Dinh
Thi (HUAF) ) for a 4 week period in 2005 and 2006. Travel reports were produced by the
Vietnamese team and included in Milestone 5. On the 2006 study tour, participants from the
research institutes were also joined by vegetable grower and nursery specialist, Mr Nguyen
Hong Phong from Lam Dong province. His inclusion on the study tour particularly assisted
the team in looking at how Australian technology may be modified to enable it to be utilised
in Vietnam. Training focused on both field and greenhouse vegetable production,
postharvest and supply chain management and implementing Good Agricultural Practice
(GAP). Field visits to low tech (Sydney Basin) and high tech (Yanco, Gosford) greenhouses
and farms also encouraged training participants to consider how they could adapt such
technology to Vietnamese conditions. In addition to visiting numerous farms, training
participants also visited Sydney Wholesale Markets, and an importing and export business to
enable them to understand Australian supply chains and quality requirements. Visits to
research stations at Gosford and Yanco provided the visitors with an insight into the types of
research and extension projects undertaken by NSW DPI and how R&D programs are
managed in Australia.

7


Photo 5. Study Team 1 - Ms Ngo Thi Hanh
(RIFAV), Mr Vu Tuan Minh (HUAF), Mr
Ngo Xuan Chinh (IAS) visit greenhouse
vegetable producers in Sydney Basin,
together with Dr Vong Nguyen, Dr Suzie
Newman and Dr Ho Dang.

Photo 6. Study Team 2 -Mrs Nguyen
Thi An (FAVRI, formerly RIFAV), Mr
Nguyen Dinh Thi (HUAF) and Mr
Nguyen Hong Phong (farmer, Lam
Dong) learning how to measure
postharvest quality attributes of fresh
produce.

The uptake and development of hydroponic systems by Vietnamese Research Institutes
All four Vietnamese Research Institute partners in this project have successfully
implemented hydroponic growing systems. Training periods in Australia have enabled them
to learn how to build and run the systems successfully in both a research and commercial
context. Visits to Australian hydroponic farms such as Pacific Hydroponics, Gosford and
Atkinsons, Griffith have demonstrated how these systems are used commercially in
Australia. Training by Dr Parks and Worrall has focussed on getting the best out of these
systems including management of EC and appropriate growing media. Crop management
practices have also been central to this training. During this project we have seen the
successful development and adaptation of these systems to Vietnamese growing conditions.
The group at IAS has also undertaken on-farm trials testing these systems. During visits by
the Australian team we have provided advice on how system and crop management can be
improved. During our visit in February 2006, we also visited the Hanoi Seed Company in
Hanoi and a high technology greenhouse park in Hai Phong to address problems that they
were having with their growing system in their greenhouse complex. Following our visit Dr
Parks also provided additional information and advice on how they could improve their
production practices.

8

Photo 7. Ms Anh (FAVRI) with the Photo 8. The hydroponic system at FAVRI –
hydroponic system she has constructed. This April 2007
is her second crop using this system. April
2007.

Photo 9. The hydroponic system at FAVRI – Photo 10. The hydroponic system at HUAF
April 2007
being tested by Mr Thi – April 2007

Photo 11. Dr Ba and her hydroponic system Photo 12. Testing hydroponic systems at
at Can Tho University – May 2007. (Dr Ba Can Tho University –May 2007.
undertook part of her PhD studies at Gosford
Horticultural Institute with Drs Parks and
Nguyen)

9


5.1.4 Fostering practice-change in farmers and other supply chain partners
A series of workshops on protected cropping systems, supply chain management and Good
Agricultural Practice (GAP) took place during the life of the project. These workshops were
designed not only as information sessions but also to facilitate discussion between farmers
and supply chain partners on 1) improving product handling; 2) alternative market options; 3)
food safety and 4) GAP systems and their implementation. Much of the discussion also
centered on the opportunities around protected cropping systems.
Workshops were conducted in 4 locations during the course of the project. These were:
• Workshop 1: 13-15th February, 2006, Ho Chi Minh, 72 registered delegates
• Workshop 2: 20-22nd February, 2006, Ha Noi, 109 delegates
• Workshop 3: 27-28th April, 2007, Can Tho, 82 registered delegates
• Workshop 4: 3-4th May, 2007, Da Lat, 70 registered delegates

Details on these workshops can be found in previous milestone and travel reports (Milestone
reports 3 and 6, Travel reports February 2006 and May 2007). Proceedings were produced
for each workshop, with different local papers at each location. These can be obtained from
Dr Thi or Dr Newman upon request. Each of these workshops also included field visits
enabling workshop participants to discuss material presented during the presentations in a
more relaxed informal manner.
In addition to the workshops held in region, the project team also regularly provided
technical advice to different farmers, farmer groups, greenhouse high-technology centres and
a cocopeat producer. Perhaps the best illustration of the impact of this is the case study of
Mr Nguyen Hong Phong, a project collaborator who produces seedlings and vegetables in
Lam Dong Province.
Mr Nguyen Hong Phong, Vegetable farmer and seedling producer, Lam Dong Province
Throughout the course of the project, Mr Phong has been improving his seedling production
and farming operation at Duc Trong in Lam Dong province and these improvements may be
partially attributed to the training and on-going technical support he has received as a part of
this project. This training has included:
• the Australian study tour from the 2nd-29th July 2006
• advice provided by the Australian project team during their visits to his farm in
February 2006, May 2006, October 2006 and May 2007
• assistance with acquiring and setting up 2 mechanical precision air seeders
• ongoing technical assistance provided by Dr Vinh’s vegetable group at IAS.
Uptake of technology and improvements to current practice has included:
• the commissioning of 2 mechanical precision air seeders to enable Mr Phong to
increase seedling output (Photos 13 and 14)
• the improvement of working conditions for workers carrying out grafting operations.
When we visited in February 2006, workers were undertaking grafting operations
outside under netting but they now work in a purpose built shed. This has not only
benefited workers but has led to greater efficiencies in the seedling operation (Photos
15 and 16).
• he has constructed a 100m2 shed for postharvest operations. In this shed he cleans,

grades and packs tomatoes, cabbages, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, sweet potato and
potato. He sources product from other farms and has about 10 workers in the packing

10


shed. In 2007-2008, he supplied Saigon Co-opmart with 60-100 tonnes of vegetables
per month.

Photo 13.
Installing the mechanical Photo 14. Mechanical precision air seeders
precision air seeder – February 2006
improving production efficiency – April
2007

Photo 15. Grafting operation carried out in Photo 16. New grafting set-up in specially
greenhouse – February 2006
constructed shed with improved efficiency –
April 2007

Photo 17. Mr Phong implementing new Photo 18. Tomato variety trial on Mr
practices in his greenhouse. A variety trial in Phong’s property – April 2007
his greenhouse April 2007

11


Photo 19. Experimenting with new Photo 20. CARD team visit Mr Phong’s
techniques Mr Phong’s greenhouse April postharvest operation
2007

•

•
•

Following his trip to Australia, Mr Phong rapidly adopted hydroponic growing and
adapted the system to make it suitable for use in Vietnam. He has also implemented
changes in the way he manages his crop based on what he saw in Australia (Photos
17-20)
Mr Phong is keen to experiment with new varieties and has run a number of field and
greenhouse variety trials on his property. (Photos 17-20).
Mr Phong’s greenhouse tomato trials have yielded between 20-40 kg/m2 depending
on variety and growing season. He is directly marketing this product into
supermarkets under his name ‘Hong Phong’.

Mr Phong can truly be considered a farmer ‘champion’ and with his seedling operation
producing seedlings for many farmers in the region, it is likely that the uptake by other
farmers will be high. In fact he has joined with 7 other farmers to produce and market
vegetables into supermarkets. They have been successful in gaining contracts with Saigon
Co-opmart and Metro. He is also planning to expand his operations to include 3 ha of plastic
houses, 10 ha of net houses and 14 ha of open field safe vegetable production. His position
as a seedling producer is likely to have a major impact on tomato production throughout the
region, facilitating the adoption of new technologies and approaches. Engaging farmers in
study tours has certainly been a successful approach in encouraging rapid adoption of
techniques and we would certainly recommend this approach in future projects.

5.1.5 Supply chains mapped
As detailed in Milestone 4, supply chains were mapped for 2 supply chains: 1) Mr Phong’s
tomato seedling and vegetable operation and 2) Metro’s Dalat vegetable supply chain. Key
problems with handling operations were identified and solutions proposed. Mr Phong has

subsequently implemented some of these improvements with the implementation of his new
postharvest operations. Details of these supply chains can be sourced from Milestone 4.

12


5.2

Smallholder Benefits

Smallholders have and will benefit from this project in two ways:
1) Directly – through attendance at project training workshops, receiving direct technical
advice from the project team or through the provision of project training materials eg. tomato
and cucumber production factsheets. Through these interactions awareness has also been
raised regarding opportunities for implementing alternative technologies (eg. the range of
protected cropping options, hydroponic systems) or systems (eg. GAP). Whilst farmers may
not act directly on this information or potential options, down the track they may look to
pursue some of these opportunities.
2) Indirectly – much of the focus of this project has been on building the capacity of
scientific and extension personnel at institutes involved in the project. By investing in these
key people they will be better placed to service the needs of smallholders. Linkages were
also made between high-tech greenhouses centres in Hanoi and Haiphong and FAVRI
technical experts to enable them to service some of their more high-end technical needs. Dr
Parks also provided services to these businesses.
In addition to this the inclusion of farmer champions such as Mr Phong in the project is likely
to have a long term benefit for vegetable producers in Lam Dong. As he looks to expand his
enterprise and associated farmer group, the changes that he has made to his business in both
production and marketing will continue to impact other farmers well beyond the life of this
project.
Options for linking smallholders with Metro were also explored through a series of

consultations. As greenhouse producers are aiming for the top-end of the market, the best
specifications for them to utilise are those developed by the supermarkets. As part of this
project we held a series of discussions with Metro to discuss quality specifications, quality
assurance and how Metro goes about engaging farmers. At our workshop in Can Tho, a
number of the farmers asked specific questions of the Metro Can Tho management in how
they might look to become a Metro supplier. Metro specifications for tomatoes and
cucumber were included in Milestone 8. Discussions with the Metro Supply Chain Manager
in Ho Chi Minh revealed that Metro often has difficulty meeting these specifications. They
were actively seeking engagement with farmer groups through projects such as ours, as a
way of trying to source product that was produced to their specifications. Whilst in the case
of our project we had completed our training activities there is certainly the potential for
other AusAID CARD projects to follow up on this (and indeed later projects have formed
good links with Metro). Metro was very keen to work in with projects that were providing
farmer groups training in improved crop management and postharvest handling. Projects
such as this have the opportunity to identify farmer groups that through project and
commercial training initiatives will enable them to supply into supermarkets. This is
particularly important for projects such as this where by introducing high-end technology,
suppliers need to look towards supplying more high-end markets.
5.3

Capacity Building

Capacity building has been the major focus of this project and has been detailed in earlier
sections of this report and more specifically in Milestones 5 and 8.
13


5.4

Publicity

A number of articles have been produced during the life of the project (and detailed in earlier
reports), with contributions also being made to the AusAID-CARD newsletter.
5.5

Project Management

Previous project management issues have been detailed in previous reports.

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1

Environment

Training project staff in Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is one of the main focuses of the
training provided in this project. In July 2006, Vietnamese project staff undertook training
on Quality Assurance systems and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). There visit was timely
as FreshCare was at the time finalizing their environmental module. Joseph Ekman (project
team member and QA extension officer) is one of the key developers of this module and so
he was able to present the latest information and developments to our Vietnamese
counterparts. They were then able to see QA systems in operation through their visits to
farms who had implemented FreshCare. Training participants were encouraged to think
through how such systems could be implemented in Vietnam. With the release of ASEAN
GAP guidelines, it is likely that Vietnam will look to further develop a GAP system and
trained extension specialists will be required to develop and implement this system. At the
present time the Vietnamese vegetable industry falls short of the environmental requirements
under many GAP systems with use of non-composted farm manure, unregistered chemicals
and inadequate with-holding periods. Providing plant protection officers and extension
specialists with knowledge on GAP systems and how they are implemented should assist
Vietnam with the uptake of these systems over the next few years.

6.2

Gender and Social Issues

Gender and social issues have been addressed as they have come up during the life of the
project. Both genders have been well represented on both the Vietnamese and Australian
project teams. All training programs have been well attended by both men and women.

7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1

Issues and Constraints

These have been addressed in previous reports and will not be addressed further here.
7.2

Options

Given this is the final report this will not be addressed here.

14


7.3

Sustainability

Sustainability issues have been previously addressed.

8. Next Critical Steps

As this is the final report, there are no next critical steps for the implementation of this
project.

9. Conclusion
The project has met its key objectives and delivered on all project milestones. The overall
objective of the project to provide Vietnamese scientists and extension specialists with the
training and tools to implement and foster regionally feasible improvements to current
vegetable production practices and supply chains, has largely been achieved. Continued
AusAID CARD project engagement with these personnel will ensure that this continues.
Key achievements of the project have included:
• A series of trials (10 replicated and 4 on-farm demonstration trials) were undertaken
looking at a number of production aspects (including variety, growing media, method
of nutrient application and irrigation) and comparing field and greenhouse production
of tomatoes and cucumbers in Hanoi, Lam Dong and Hue. This has enabled
recommendations to be made regarding appropriate varieties and growing media for
protected cropping systems.
• Vietnamese cocopeat quality was characterised (pH, salinity, colour, water holding
capacity etc.), the water usage of different greenhouse media including coir was
compared and recommendations were made for the improvement of QA procedures at
a Vietnamese cocopeat supplier.
• Seven scientific and conference papers were published in Vietnamese and
International journals
• Supply chains were mapped for 1) tomatoes and tomato seedling production and 2)
Metro vegetable supply chains from Dalat
• Capacity building of research and extension personnel particularly in the use of
hydroponic systems, greenhouse design, postharvest management and GAP systems.
This included training in-country, ‘hands-on’ trial work, but also 8 personnel
undertook 4 week study tours in Australia
• Adaptation and application of new technology and practices by Mr Nguyen Hong
Phong, vegetable farmer and seedling producer from Lam Dong province. By the end

of the project this lead farmer was influencing the practices of others through the
formation of a farmer group selling into Metro and the Saigon Co-opmart.
• Technical expertise and assistance was also provided to a number of enterprises
including a cocopeat supplier, high technology greenhouse centres in Hanoi and
Haiphong and farmer groups in Hue and Can Tho.
• Four workshops attracting a total of 275 participants (research and extension
personnel, provincial agricultural officers, farmers and other supply chain partners)
were delivered in Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi, Can Tho and Dalat. The workshop covered
protected cropping systems, supply chain management and Good Agricultural
Practice (GAP).

15


Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs
Project Title: Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high
technology protected cropping systems
Vietnamese Implementing Institution: Research Institute for Fruits and Vegetables, Gia Lam, Hanoi

Narrative
OBJECTIVES

Information Required

PROPOSAL
Performance
Measures

1. Facilitate the wider implementation and
adoption of protected cropping systems of

low to medium technology
(greenhouses/nethouses) that require fewer
chemical inputs through targeted research
and extension activities

1. The annual MARD
survey will indicate
the increase in areas
producing
safer
vegetables

2. Examine current supply chain constraints
and utilise quality assurance principles to
implement targeted system improvements

2. Targeted growers
adopting
new
systems will provide
crop
management
and performance data
to
indicate
marketable
yields,
use
of
chemical

inputs, and financial
benefits

3. Enhance Vietnamese R&D capacity in
the areas of protected cropping systems,
postharvest management and quality
assurance systems
Six scientists from RIFAV, IAS and HUAF
that gain experience in Australia will aid the
setup of trial sites at their locations in
Vietnam. About 300 extension, plant
protection officers, traders and key growers
from 64 provinces/cities will participate in
workshops convened by four Australian
project members. Vietnamese professional
officers and farmers exposed to training will
impact on vegetable horticulture in Vietnam
increasing production and safety of quality

3. Targeted growers
adopting improved
postharvest
techniques will be
assessed

Assumptions
1. Anticipated difficulties in
language differences are
reduced by the ability of the
project leader in both

Vietnamese and English
2. Inclusion of several
institutes in the project,
supported by MARD and the
training of officers from 64
provinces/cities in Vietnam,
and the inclusion of growers
and traders ensures that
extension will be effective.
3. The risk of adverse
climate (eg. Flooding) is
managed with several
locations for demonstration
trials.

INCEPTION/PROGRESS REPORT
Information Required
1. Adoption has been fostered through:
-The Australian and Vietnamese project team have continued to
be available to provide information and advice to the High Tech
Greenhouse Centers in Hanoi and Hai Phong. This has
included a package of information sent by Dr Parks to these
enterprises
-on-farm research trials have encouraged participation by
farmers enabling farmers to see first hand the implementation of
new technology or crop management practices.
It is envisaged that some of the performance indicators are
unrealistic given the short term (2 years) nature of the project
and the geographic spread of project partners.
2. Supply chains have been mapped, key constraints identified

and solutions proposed.
3. Training activities in Vietnam and Australia have enhanced
R&D capacity

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vegetables to the benefit of all consumers.
4.
Establishment
a
link
of
researchers/traders/producers/growers
to
increase
the
productivity
and
competitiveness of Vietnamese smallholder
agriculture and related rural enterprises

OUTPUTS

1. Visit by 6 Vietnamese scientists to
Australia will expand their knowledge in
agricultural production systems including
greenhouse
production,
implementing

quality management systems, pest &
disease management and innovations in
supply chain management.

1.
Report
by
scientists,
and
seminar
at
their
institution, on their
Australian
work
within 4 weeks after
returning to Vietnam

1. Difficulties in English for
Vietnamese
training
in
Australia: translation of
English into Vietnamese by
project leader will ensure
oral
and
written
communication is not a
limitation.

2a. A research and demonstration project
titled "Evaluation of growing media
(including cocopeat) and nutrient solutions
for greenhouse vegetables" will be
established at each of the RIFAV-Hanoi,
HUAF-Hue, IAS-HoChiMinh and NCGHGosford. A supply chain management
strategy will be incorporated. This will
allow both Vietnamese and Australian
scientists to collaborate in this joint research
and demonstration project. Outputs of this
research will include the creation of
hydroponic systems for tropical areas,
determination of suitable nutrient solutions

2. Research Papers in
Vietnamese
and
English which will be
published in Vietnam
and Australia on the
suitability
of
Vietnamese cocopeat
as
a
growing
medium, and on
recommendations for
protected

cropping
systems in Vietnam;
grower
guidelines
available

2.
Planning
already
completed by the project
leader and support for the
project by MARD will
ensure that demonstration
sites
and
links
with
traders/key
growers
established.

.
1. A report has been prepared by the project scientists who
visited Vietnam and can be obtained from Dr Newman upon
request.

2. Research demonstration trials evaluating the potential of
Vietnamese cocopeat as a media for greenhouse vegetable
production have been completed at all project trial sites –
RIFAV, Hanoi; HUAF, Hue and IAS, Lam Dong Province.

Research papers have been published in Vietnamese and
International journals.

2. Research on Vietnamese cocopeat characteristics and
suitability as a growing media has been completed. On the
whole Vietnamese cocopeat compares favourably with that
sourced elsewhere.

17


and evaluation of Vietnam’s coir dust. A
better understanding of the constraining
factors for greenhouse production in the
tropics will also be achieved.
2b.i) Supply chain study methodology,
training material developed to supply chain
analysis. ii) Key issues and options for
improved supply chain management of
selected vegetables. iii) Map supply chains
for 2 vegetable crops. iv) Develop supply
chain training workshops & timetable for
delivery.
3. Visit by Australian scientists to Vietnam
(Quality Assurance officer, Postharvest
officer, Greenhouse specialist) for the
presentation with
MARD horticultural
scientists of workshops on Vegetable
Production, Quality Assurance, Post-harvest

and Greenhouse management for extension,
Plant Protection officers, traders and key
growers. A meeting will also be held with
Vietnam government representatives to
discuss how a quality assurance system
could be implemented in the Vietnamese
vegetable industry.
Institutional capacity building is enhanced
by this project with researchers from several
Vietnamese institutions working together to
increase their knowledge in horticultural
production, postharvest and quality
assurance systems.
Farmers adopting new technology will
increase their production quality and output
and the ability to increase their income. A
better standard of living for families
(including women) on farms will result.

2b. Supply chains have been mapped, key constraints identified
and solutions proposed. In some cases eg. Mr Phongs some of
the improvements have been implemented.

3. Attendance and
knowledge
gained
will be assessed with
an evaluation form
completed by each
Vietnamese officer at

the end of training; a
report on outcomes
of discussions will be
available within 4
weeks
of
the
scheduled meeting on
quality assurance.

3. Success beyond the
project in implementing
quality assurance in Vietnam
will depend on the project
being linked with an ASEAN
– Australian Development
Cooperation
Program
“Quality Assurance Systems
for ASEAN Fruit and
Vegetables (AusAID &
ASEAN Secretariat, October
2002)

3. All training programs have been completed..

Direct training by four
Australian
agricultural
scientists of research and

extension
workers
in
Vietnam will ensure that the
expertise is delivered by
Vietnamese
people
in
Vietnam
for
maximum
impact.

18


The concept of a sustainable growing
system is integral to this project. Reduced
chemical inputs and the use of waste
products such as cocopeat reduce the
environmental impacts of horticulture and
increase the sustainability of production
systems.
ACTIVITIES

1.Training six Vietnamese horticultural
scientists
in
NSW.
Expected

time:September/Octoer
2005
and
February/March 2006 for a period of 4
weeks on both occasions

2a. Join-demonstration research at RIFAVHanoi, HUAF-Hue and IAS-HoChiMinh in
protected cropping for production of safe
and high quality vegetables in greenhouse
net-house with hydroponic and dripirrigation techniques and Vietnamese
cocopeat as a growing medium. Expected
time: 8-12 week trials in October 2005January 2006, February-April 2006 and
September-November 2006. IN Australia,
trials comparing Vietnamese and Sri
Lankan cocopeat will be undertaken in
October-December 2005 and April-June
2006.

2b. Map supply chains for 2 vegetable
crops. In collaboration with supply chain
partners determine opportunities for
reducing losses, improving quality and
profitability of current supply chain.

3. NSW Agricultural scientists will visit

1. Experience gained
by visiting scientists
in Australian
protected cropping,

postharvest, quality
assurance and
marketing practices;
visits completed;
report by scientists,
and seminar at their
institution on their
Australian work
within 4 weeks after
returning to Vietnam

1. Training activities have been completed and reports
submitted.

2. Research and demonstration trials have been completed.
2. Research trials on cocopeat chemical and physical properties
have been completed at GHI

2.Trial designs
completed by July
2005. Establishment
of trials at 3 sites in
Vietnam completed
by October 2005,
April 206 and
December 2006.
Cocopeat comparison
trials competed in
Australia by Auguest
2006. Trials

complete within 12
weeks of
commencing.
Research papers
(English and

19


Vietnam to a) meet with the Vietnamese
Government to discuss an approach to safe
management systems for its vegetable
industry b) organise regional workshops for
training of 300 Extension and Plant
Protection horticulturists, traders and key
growers of 64 provinces/cities in Vietnma
focussing
on
Qualtiy
Assurance,
postharvest management and horticultural
“best practice” protected cropping systems.
Expected time: November/December 2005
and September/October 2006 for 2 weeks
on each occasion
4.
Establish
a
link
of

researchers/traders/producers/growers
to
increase
the
productivity
and
competitiveness of Vietnamese smallholder
agriculture and related rural enterprises

Vietnamese) and
guidelines for
protected cropping in
Vietnam
(Vietnamese) will be
published by January
2007.

3. All workshops have been completed.

3. Training material
for 4 workshops in
Vietnam to train 300
Vietnamese
horticulturists, traders
and key growers, by
October 2005;
workshops
completed. Meeting
held with Vietnamese
government

representatives;
report within 4 weeks
after returning to
Australia, including
outcomes of
discussion with
Vietnamese on an
approach to safe
management systems
in vegetable
production.
4. Metro Cash &
Carry Vietnam, Dalat
Foods Co. etc. To
establish
benchmarking for
safe and high quality
vegetables by
December 2005.

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