Vietnam's rural economic growth and progress in reducing rural poverty over the past 20 years have been remarkable. Agricultural growth, at over 4 percent over the past five years, has significantly contributed to this outcome. However, increased reliance on productivity gains requires more technology research, development and transfer, as well as on farmers being able to adjust resources use efficiently in response to market opportunities. The Vietnam Agriculture Competitiveness Project plans to strengthen the competitiveness of smallholder farmers, with a focus on central Vietnam, in collaboration with the agri-business sector with a US$59.8 million IDA loan. The development objective would be achieved by enhancing smallholders' access to market through the provision of technology services, facilitating farmer organizations and linkages to agri-business, and through the provision of critical public infrastructure. Four-Component Approach The program plans to achieve its objectives with a four-component approach: 1. Enhancing Agricultural Technology Conducting technology R&D for a competitive agriculture; Enhancing sustainable farming practices; and Monitoring and controlling chemical residues.
2. Supporting productive partnerships Establishing productive collaborations between farmer organizations and private agribusiness enterprises. Scaling up successful value chain initiatives. Implementing an information campaign, networking and match making;
3. Providing critical infrastructure Supporting locally-identified infrastructure priorities. Providing infrastructure support to productive partnerships. Support for project Management. Supporting project management and institutional strengthening. Monitoring and evaluation.
4. Support for Project Management |  | |  |   |  | Agrobusiness-Farmer Partnerships The project team visited the farm of the Da Lat Flower Forest BioTechnology Corporation, in Da Lat City, Lam Dong province which will be involved through the agrobusiness-farmer partnership. | 
|  | Increasing Competitiveness through Collaboration A seedling bed in the Dat Lat Flower Forest Bio Technology Corporation, one of several organizations collaborating with farmers to increase competitiveness. | |  |  |  |
More information:
 Vietnam Rural Development Strategy: Full report (1mb pdf)
 Agriculture Competitiveness Project:  Project documents                                                                         Rural Development in Vietnam
Vietnam website |
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