Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
CARD Project Progress Report
004/04VIE: Improving the safety and quality of
Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity
building in quality assurance, postharvest management
and high technology protected cropping systems
MS2: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT
30 January 2006
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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 Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV)
Trau Quy, Gia Lam, HANOI
Vietnamese Project Team
Leader Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Khac Thi
Australian Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries
Gosford Horticultural Institute
Centre of Excellence in Market Access and Greenhouse
Horticulture
Incorporating the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture
Australian Personnel Dr. Vong Nguyen
Date commenced 30th September 2005
Completion date (original) 30th September 2007
Completion date (revised) 30th November 2007 (to take into account delay in signing of
contracts)
Reporting period 1st Six monthly report
Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name: Dr Vong Nguyen Telephone: (02)4348 1927
Position: Special Research
Horticulturist
Fax: (02)4348 1910
Organisation NSW Department of
Primary Industries
Email: vong.nguyen@dpi.nsw.gov.au
In Australia: Administrative contact
Name: Graham
Denney Telephone:
Position: Administrative officer Fax:
Organisation NSW Department of
Primary Industries
Email: graham.denney@dpi.nsw.gov.au
In Vietnam
Name: Associate Prof Dr Tran Khac Thi Telephone: 84-4-8276316
Position: Deputy Director Fax: 84-4-8276148
Organisation Research Institute of Fruits and
Vegetables (RIFAV), Trau Quy, Gia
Lam, HANOI
Email: vrqhn@hn.vnn.vn;
tkthi@vnn.vn
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2. Project Abstract
Chemical residues left by fungicides and insecticides are among the major problems causing
contamination of vegetables in Vietnam. The development of safe food production methods was
fostered by the previous NSW Department of Primary Industries project (CARD-0016; 2001-
2003) but this can only be realised with further research and development. This project will
address the issues of food safety and food quality from production to market to encourage the
economic viability and sustainability of the Vietnamese vegetable industry. The objectives are to
1) Facilitate the wider implementation and adoption of protected cropping systems of low to
medium technology 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 and 3) Enhance Vietnamese research, development and
extension capacity in the areas of protected cropping systems, postharvest management and
quality assurance systems.
3. Executive Summary
Project CARD-004/04 VIE “Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables”
commenced in September 2005. The overall objective of this project is 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 is led by the Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetables with Hue
University of Agriculture and Forestry and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences for South
Vietnam the major Vietnamese project partners. NSW Department of Primary Industries is
the Australian partner. The project start date was delayed due to extended contract
negotiations until September 2005.
Key achievements during this six monthly reporting period include:
1. Project management
• CARD contract signed with NSW Department of Primary Industries on 15th August
2006. Vietnamese and Australian team members and roles within the project
finalised.
• Planning and resource development for training workshops in Vietnam to be held in
February 2006
2. Capacity building
• In October-November 2005, three Vietnamese scientists visited Australia for a 4
week period to undertake intensive training in agricultural production systems at
Gosford Horticultural Institute and Yanco Agricultural Institute. The visit also
provided the opportunity to plan the demonstration research trials and the training
workshops in Vietnam.
3. Demonstration research trials
• Two demonstration research trials have been established at IAS and RIFAV. The
objective of these two trials is to investigate the effect of growing media on crop
development, yield and quality of greenhouse grown tomato and cucumber.
4. Publication
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• Three articles in Vietnamese language on safe vegetables production, Good
Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Vietnam joining WTO were published in
Vietnamese papers.
4. Introduction & Background
Project Objective:
The previous project AusAID-CARD0016 (2001-2003) demonstrated that a protected
cropping system (a net-house) is suitable for the production of safe and good quality
vegetables in Vietnam. This demonstration system used local waste coconut fibre (cocopeat)
as a growing medium, a suitable alternative to soil in peri urban areas for intensive vegetable
production with low chemical inputs. Although the protected cropping system is not
necessarily required to reduce chemical inputs into vegetable production, adoption of this
technology has the benefit of higher yielding production and ultimately is demonstrated to be
safer for workers in terms of a reduced need for pesticides. In such systems use of cocopeat as
a plant substrate would also reduce the use of already contaminated agricultural soil and helps
to eliminate a waste problem. However, the implementation of “best practice” for the
production of safe and high quality vegetables in new growing systems is still a long way off.
To successfully address these issues this project will use a multifaceted approach to improve
production efficiency; reduce reliance on pesticides; reduce postharvest losses and to utilise
quality assurance principles.
Objectives of this project are as follows:
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;
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. Six scientists from RIFAS,
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 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
Output expected:
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.
2. 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 and IAS-HoChiMinh. 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 and evaluation of Vietnam’s coir
dust. A better understanding of the constraining factors for greenhouse production in
the tropics will also be achieved.
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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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Approach and Strategy
This project uses a participatory research approach to foster uptake by both Vietnamese
institutions and key stakeholders (farmers, extension agents, supply chain partners). The
three pronged approach of: intensive training opportunities for Vietnamese scientists; the
establishment of demonstration research trials and the delivery of regional workshops should
ensure that the project targets key stakeholders and that the project benefits are widespread.
The production of “CLEAN” and “GREEN” vegetables in greenhouses with hydroponic
systems, the key research component of this project, should contribute to Vietnam’s ability to
achieve their goals in production of safe and high quality vegetables in the future. This project
focuses on reducing chemical inputs into the production system and should lead to more
sustainable environmental practices.
Methodologies
This project will take an integrated research and extension approach with quality assurance,
postharvest management and production technologies focussing on the production of safe and
high quality vegetables. The project is divided into 3 parts, they are:
1. Part One : Intensive training of Vietnamese horticulturists in Australia;
2. Part Two : Demonstration research trials; and
3. Part Three: Regional extension workshops in Vietnam
5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
i. CARD contract signed:
The project contract was officially signed on the 9th August 2005, with the project
commencing in September 2005.
ii. Training Vietnamese scientists in Australia
1. Three Vietnamese horticultural scientists, who were nominated by the Vietnamese
Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, visited Australia from 31st October to
27th November, 2005 for a 4- week course of focussed on the Best practices for
vegetable production, Postharvest management skills in supply chain mapping, Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP) and QA systems (Appendices 1 & 2).
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