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On January 22, 2026, leaders of Van Du Commune organized a field visit to assess the organic cucumber farming model, one of the representative livelihood development models supported by the project “Evidence-Based Forestry Decision-Making, Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification for Smallholder Forest Growers in Viet Nam” (AIN 8748) and implemented in the locality.

The delegation included Mr. Thai Minh Sy – Secretary of the Commune Party Committee and Chairman of the Commune People’s Council; Mr. Hoang Van Tuan – Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee; Mr. Ma Xuan Uyen – Vice Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ban – Chairman of the Commune Farmers’ Association; and Mr. Dao Quang Bien – Deputy Director of the Van Du Commune Public Service Provision Center.

The organic cucumber farming model, located in Dong Cay Ngut area, Hamlet 8, Minh Thanh, is implemented under Project AIN 8748 with the aim of supporting sustainable livelihood development, improving household incomes, and reducing pressure on forest resources. The model covers an area of 1.7 hectares, with the participation of six farming households, applying organic cultivation practices that are environmentally friendly and safe for both producers and consumers.

According to feedback from participating households, the adoption of organic farming practices has helped reduce input costs, limit the use of chemical pesticides, improve product quality, and meet market requirements. The cucumber products have been stably marketed, contributing to income improvement and encouraging farmers to remain engaged in sustainable agricultural production.

Through the field visit, leaders of Van Du Commune highly appreciated the effectiveness of the model supported by Project AIN 8748, affirming that this approach aligns well with the local agricultural economic development orientation. In the coming period, the commune will continue to coordinate with the Project and relevant stakeholders to replicate effective livelihood models, thereby contributing to local socio-economic development and improving the livelihoods of local people.

Project AIN8748 supports Minh Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (Van Du Commune, Nghe An) in implementing an organic farming model integrated with large-timber forest plantations and value chain linkages.

Project AIN8748, titled “Evidence-based Forestry Decision-making, Sustainable Forest Management, and Forest Certification for Small-scale Plantations in Vietnam,” aims to build resilience for small-scale forestry livelihoods in Vietnam. This is achieved by promoting forest planning, certification, environmental management, and climate-smart agricultural practices in Hue City and Nghe An Province.

The organic agriculture model integrated with large-timber forest protection in Van Du Commune. Photo: Pham Tuan.

The project is funded by the Finnish Forest Association for Development (FFD) through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The Central Vietnam Climate Change Research Center (CCCSC) at Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry serves as the project coordinator in Vietnam. Direct beneficiaries include four cooperatives under the Hue City Cooperative Alliance and four cooperatives in Nghe An Province, including the Minh Thanh Agricultural Service and Construction Cooperative (Minh Thanh Cooperative) in Van Du Commune.

Two Organic Farming Models

The pilot models aim not only to diversify and increase local income through organic products but also to help farmers transition forest plantations from short-term livelihoods into long-term assets. This shift generates higher income while contributing to the mitigation of negative climate change impacts.

Under Project AIN8748, two organic models have been deployed: a 1.28-hectare organic rice model in Dong Than (Village 3) and a 1.7-hectare organic cucumber model in Cay Ngut (Village 8), involving a total of 12 households.

Minh Thanh Cooperative and participating households signed a commitment to implement organic farming alongside the protection of large-timber acacia plantations. Consequently, the Project provides partial funding for model development, capacity-building training on organic cultivation techniques, brand identity development, and guidance on production processes to achieve PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) organic certification.

Overview of the “Market Linkage for Certified Organic Agricultural Products” program on December 25, 2025. Photo: Dinh Tiep.

In exchange for these benefits, Minh Thanh Cooperative and the households committed to maintaining at least 40 hectares of large-timber acacia forest (trees aged 8 years and older), refraining from harvesting young forests, and strictly enforcing forest protection measures—specifically preventing illegal logging and littering within forest areas. Regular monitoring of the forest status is conducted collaboratively.

Regarding production, households pledged to follow organic technical protocols, avoiding chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, or toxic chemicals on the supported areas, while sharing experiences to scale up the model within the community.

Creating a Foundation for Green Agriculture Development

Alongside the forest protection commitments, Project AIN8748 has organized training sessions on organic agriculture and PGS standards, established the Van Du PGS Coordination Board, trained PGS inspectors, and conducted soil and water sampling for professional analysis. Results showed that all indicators were below the thresholds permitted by PGS standards, creating favorable conditions for the models to achieve organic certification soon.

Additionally, the Cooperative has focused on developing product brand identities and planting Napier grass as biological buffers to protect the farming environment and increase product value. The Van Du PGS Coordination Board has already granted “Organic Transition” certification to the rice and cucumber production groups.

The Van Du PGS Coordination Board awards organic transition certificates to the rice and cucumber production groups. Photo: Dinh Tiep.

To expand market reach and increase post-certification value, on December 25, 2025, CCCSC (Hue University) collaborated with Minh Thanh Cooperative to host the program “Market Linkage for Certified Organic Agricultural Products.” This initiative is a vital step in promoting consumption linkages, enhancing the value of organic produce, and connecting green agriculture with forest resource protection and sustainable local development.

The event saw the attendance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Phuong (Director of CCCSC and National Project Coordinator), leaders of Minh Thanh Cooperative, the Van Du PGS Coordination Board, and representatives from companies such as Biggreen and Tam Dat. Online participants included Mr. Tran Manh Chien (CEO of Bac Tom clean food chain and Head of PGS Vietnam Coordination Board), Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Binh (Director of the Organic Agriculture Center, Vietnam National University of Forestry), and Ms. Vu Le Y Voan (Senior Advisor to the FFF Project).

Signing ceremony for purchasing contracts of PGS-standard organic transition products. Photo: Dinh Tiep.

Following discussions, three organizations and two business households signed contracts to purchase PGS-standard organic transition products from Minh Thanh Cooperative.

Van Du Commune currently has over 1,590 hectares of rice, with approximately 250 hectares transitioning toward organic methods, and nearly 50 hectares of safe cucumber production. This presents significant potential for scaling the model and further developing organic agriculture linked with sustainable forest management.

Integrating organic production with specific forest protection commitments not only boosts local income but also enhances carbon sequestration, reduces emissions, and improves resilience to climate change. These project models have fostered a shift in production mindset—moving toward respecting ecosystems, protecting natural resources, and advancing sustainable green agriculture in the mountainous regions of Nghe An.

By Dinh Tiep Source: nongnghiepmoitruong.vn

In implementation of Project AIN 8748, from December 18–19, 2025, the Hue City Cooperative Alliance (TPHCA), in collaboration with an independent consultant and FSC internal auditor (Dr. Hoang Thi Nguyen Hai), conducted an internal audit to prepare for the M2 annual surveillance audit as required by the FSC certification system.

• Audit Locations: Included audits at the TPHCA office and field assessments at forest lots belonging to member cooperatives selected for sampling (Thuy Phuong Cooperative).

• Objectives: To assess compliance with the FSC Forest Management (FSC-FM) Standard among group members; evaluate the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the Group Management System (GMS); verify the practical application of internal procedures and guidelines; assess the understanding, implementation capacity, and responsibility of the Group Management Board and cooperative members; and identify Non-Conformities (NCs) and areas for improvement to propose corrective and preventive measures before the official audit.

• Audit Results: Overall, TPHCA has proactively reviewed, updated, and maintained relatively complete FSC documentation. Forest owners and cooperative personnel have participated in numerous training sessions, possess experience in silviculture and forest management, and comply with the basic requirements of FSC standards. However, more focus is needed on waste management. Some reports require updates with recent field monitoring data, and monitoring forms must be fully completed with all necessary information.

Recommendations: In the coming period, cooperatives are urged to promptly address the identified non-conformities before the official audit. There should be increased communication and supervision regarding waste collection during forestry activities. Additionally, the Cooperative Alliance must continue to maintain and enhance internal inspection and monitoring in accordance with FSC standards.

PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNAL AUDIT PROCESS

Audit at the TPHCA office

Document review at the Cooperative Alliance

Field assessment (Thuy Phuong Cooperative)

Forest lot under maintenance/tending

Collecting plastic waste on the plantation lot

Forest lot undergoing vegetation treatment for planting

On December 5-6, 2025, the “Cooperative Communication” training course was held at the Central Vietnam Climate Change Study Center (CCCSC). The event saw participation from various units, including A Roang, Hoa My, Thuy Phu, and Phu Bai cooperatives, as well as the Hue City Cooperative Alliance . The training aimed to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in brand building and market connectivity for cooperatives under project AIN8748.

Led by instructor Le Chi Hung Cuong, participants were equipped with a comprehensive skill set:

• Photography Techniques: Principles of composition and lighting to capture vibrant agricultural products using smartphones.

• Writing Skills: Structuring engaging news stories and delivering concise messages tailored to the cooperative context.

• AI Application: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to generate content, edit images, and develop communication plans aligned with the “Cooperative 4.0” model.

Despite challenges regarding uneven technological proficiency, the course concluded successfully with numerous practical outputs and strengthened connections between local cooperatives.

From December 1-2, 2025, a communication training course was organized at Minh Thanh Cooperative (Nghe An) for members of Minh Thanh, Quynh Tam, and Thanh Thuy cooperatives. The program focused on empowering cooperatives to master digital tools for more effective agricultural promotion.

The curriculum was highly practical, featuring several key themes:

• Multimedia Content Creation: Hands-on practice in filming and photographing production activities and products on-site.

• Social Media Strategy: Building content for Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok, alongside livestreaming skills for sales.

• AI Support Tools: Applying ChatGPT and Google Lens for information retrieval and professional support.

• Risk Management: Discussions on “seeding” strategies and handling communication crises in the digital space.

Applying the “learning by doing” methodology, the course helped participants gain confidence in reaching customers and aiming for sustainable development amidst digital transformation.

Within the framework of Project AIN 8748, a training course on “Advocacy for Forest Certification and Sustainable Forest Management” was held from November 28–29, 2025, at the Quynh Tam Agricultural Cooperative, Nghe An Province. The course was directly instructed by Mr. Truong Van Binh, an expert in forest certification, with the participation of forest-growing households both within and outside the cooperative.

The training aimed to help local households fully grasp information regarding Project AIN 8748 and its support activities; clearly understand Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and FSC certification under a smallholder group scheme; and recognize the benefits, responsibilities, and obligations of joining a certification group. Participants received specific guidance on the conditions, procedures, and documentation required to register for the Quynh Tam Cooperative’s SFM and FSC group.

The curriculum focused on summarizing the FSC-STD-VN-01-2018 and FSC-STD-30-005 (V2.0) standards; the benefits of joining an SFM & FC group; legal requirements for land and forest plots; forest status review processes; mapping of raw material areas; silvicultural techniques to enhance SFM; the certification assessment process; and procedures for legal timber harvesting and trade within the value chain.

The workshop followed a sharing-dialogue-practice approach, creating an open atmosphere for households to discuss practical challenges related to land legality, forest plot records, and group registration. The instructor demonstrated sample dossiers and forest maps, then divided participants into groups to collect input data and finalize applications for participating households.

Following the training, on November 30, 2025, Mr. Truong Van Binh continued to support Project AIN 8748 in receiving and reviewing dossiers from households registering for FSC certification, contributing to the acceleration of documentation and the expansion of the cooperative’s sustainable raw material areas.

As a result, the training and post-training support finalized input dossiers for 33 households covering a total area of 45 hectares of plantation forest; these records are now archived at the Quynh Tam Cooperative office. Other households are continuing to supplement their documentation. Training materials were printed and distributed to participants, with digital copies sent to the Project AIN 8748 team.

Through this series of activities, forest owners’ awareness of raw material area linkages, sustainable forest management, and FSC certification has been significantly enhanced, laying an important foundation for developing responsible forestry in alignment with the goals of Project AIN 8748.

Within the framework of Project AIN 8748, a training course on “Inventory and Assessment of Plantation Forest Stock and Quality for Smallholders” was held from November 25–26, 2025, at the Quynh Tam Agricultural Cooperative, Nghe An Province. The course was directly instructed by Mr. Nguyen The Can, a silviculture expert.

The training aimed to equip forest owners and stakeholders with fundamental knowledge and skills to assess the growth, development, and stock of plantations—specifically hybrid acacia (Acacia hybrid) and mangium (Acacia mangium)—under the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Forest Certification (FC) groups of the Quynh Tam Cooperative. This enables participants to predict timber yields at harvest age, determine market supply capacity, calculate investment efficiency, and select the optimal harvesting time.

The curriculum combined classroom theory with field practice. In the classroom, the instructor introduced concepts and methods for plantation forest inventory, including how to establish sample plots and measure basic indicators. In the field, participants were divided into groups to directly establish plots, measure trees, record data, and collect information from forest blocks representing various age classes. Subsequently, participants were guided through office-based data processing to calculate forest stock and growth rates.

Participants included representatives of forest owners, logging teams, monitoring teams, and the Project Management Board of Quynh Tam Cooperative. The training followed a “hands-on” approach, ensuring that participants could easily understand and apply the techniques directly to their production activities.

As a result, the class successfully practiced measurements and developed stock data for five sample plots across forest ages of 2, 3.5, and 4 years. Initial findings showed that: 4-year-old plantations averaged approximately 115 tons/ha, 3.5-year-old plantations reached 71 tons/ha, and 2-year-old plantations (with proper care and fertilization) reached 10.7 tons/ha. The common planting density among households ranged from 5,200 to 5,500 trees/ha.

Despite challenges posed by natural disasters and the impacts of Typhoon No. 10, which caused significant damage to middle-aged plantations and limited the selection of field sites, the training achieved its core objectives. The results serve as a vital basis for Quynh Tam Cooperative to develop reference materials on plantation stock by age class, supporting households in production planning, harvesting, and timber trade, toward efficient and sustainable forest management as targeted by Project AIN 8748.

From November 25–26, 2025, a survey and training course on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and Internal Inspectors was held at the Minh Thanh Cooperative. The program was designed according to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Center for Climate Change in Central Vietnam and was directly instructed by Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Binh, Director of the Center for Organic Agriculture at the Vietnam National University of Forestry.

The course was attended by 28 participants, including cooperative members specializing in rice and cucumber production in Hamlets 3 and 8, as well as key cooperative leaders, party cell secretaries, and hamlet heads. Participants attended fully and seriously, actively engaging in learning activities and group discussions throughout the training.

The training content focused on introducing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS); the concepts and principles of organic agriculture; the basic standards of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA); organic rice and cucumber cultivation processes; and the essential methods and skills of an inspector. Participants were guided on developing farm management plans, maintaining logs, and preparing inspection reports for both fields and processing areas.

The course followed a learner-centered approach, combining presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and “learning through play” activities. Additionally, the program included field surveys in Hamlets 3 and 8, where soil and water samples were collected for environmental analysis and compliance checking against PGS requirements.

At the conclusion of the training, the organic rice and cucumber production groups were guided in completing their PGS application dossiers, including individual commitment forms, group regulations, and production area maps. The close coordination between the trainers and the Minh Thanh Cooperative ensured the effectiveness and quality of the program.

This survey and training course serves as a vital preparation step, laying the foundation for the establishment and operation of the PGS system at Minh Thanh Cooperative. It aims toward developing sustainable and transparent organic agriculture with community participation, in line with the project’s objectives.

SELECTED PHOTOS OF CLASSROOM AND FIELD ACTIVITIES

Within the framework of Project AIN8748, a training course on “Sustainable Forest Management Techniques” was held from November 23–24, 2025, at Quynh Tam Cooperative, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province. The course was directly instructed by Dr. Cao Thi Thu Hien, a lecturer from the Faculty of Silviculture at the Vietnam National University of Forestry, with the participation of 89 forest owners who are members of the Quynh Tam Cooperative.

The training aimed to enhance the awareness and capacity of forest owners in accessing forest certification, applying sustainable forest management (SFM) techniques, implementing Reduced Impact Logging (RIL), and complying with occupational safety requirements in forestry. Through the course, participants were equipped with knowledge and practical skills tailored to local forestry production conditions.

The training content focused on core issues such as: benefits and conditions for joining forest certification groups; techniques for seed selection, planting, tending, and protecting plantations; weed, pest, and disease management; protection of riparian corridors; maintenance of extraction roads; reduced impact logging techniques; and occupational safety.

The course was implemented using a learner-centered approach, combining presentations, group discussions, and the sharing of practical experiences. Participants were provided with comprehensive training materials and actively exchanged experiences in the production, harvesting, and protection of acacia plantations.

Through this training activity, forest owners significantly improved their understanding of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of sustainable forest management and FSC certification. It also contributed to promoting the formation and operation of the forest certification group at Quynh Tam Cooperative, aiming toward responsible and sustainable forest management in line with the objectives of Project AIN8748.