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