Over the years,Son La provinceIt has become a bright spot in attracting and effectively utilizing projects from international organizations supporting farmers in agricultural development, most notably the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).FAO) with the "Smart Agriculture for Future Generations" Project.

The project has supported 34 households in Moc Chau in renovating and optimizing over 35,000 m² of greenhouses and polytunnels, or most recently, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the project "Strengthening the value chain of safe crops in the northern provinces of Vietnam".

Mr. Kayano Naoki - JICA expert, Direct Coordinator of the Project "Strengthening the Safe Crop Value Chain in the Northern Provinces of Vietnam." Photo:Duc Binh.

Each project brings different values, creating changes in mindset and production methods for farmers. (Newspaper)Agriculture and EnvironmentWe had a discussion with Mr. Kayano Naoki - JICA expert and direct coordinator of the Project - to better understand the feelings of international agricultural experts when they set foot in Moc Chau and the direction they have set for sustainable agricultural development.

Belief from the land

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Sharing about the project's implementation journey, Mr. Kayano Naoki said: "When we started, we faced difficulties in convincing partners and farmers to accept the project's approach, because this is a technical collaboration, not a project providing equipment or facilities." Indeed, changing long-standing practices is not easy.

In the initial phase,JICAWe have consistently collaborated with partners in Son La, especially the Son La Provincial Agricultural Extension Center and key cooperatives that have a significant impact on farmers. Many practical activities have been organized, such as technical training for agricultural extension officers, practical training for farmers, forums and workshops connecting stakeholders in the value chain, as well as study tours to learn from experience.

Farmers in Son La proactively and quickly adopt advanced farming techniques supported by international projects. (Photo:)Duc Binh.

Through this process, farmers gradually understood that the Project not only provided new knowledge but also helped them identify long-term development drivers and build mutually beneficial cooperative relationships with businesses and the market.

In Moc Chau, Mr. Luu Tung Dinh's Green Agriculture Cooperative was selected as a model on an area of ​​2.2 hectares, with the main focus revolving around soil improvement with the motto "Whatever is taken from the land, return it to the land".

During the project's concluding meeting, Mr. Dinh shared: "Previously, people grew vegetables using traditional methods, lacking experience, applying fertilizer incorrectly, and not using mulch. As a result, crops were heavily damaged by pests and diseases, and the soil became compacted. Since participating in the project, selecting suitable seedlings, and applying mulch techniques, crop yields have increased by 20-25%, and the quality of vegetables and fruits is delicious, meeting the high standards of supermarkets and vegetarian restaurants… Each hectare yields a profit of 200-300 million VND, improving the people's economy and expanding the cultivated area."

The model for developing safe vegetable production in Moc Chau is supported by JICA. Photo:Duc Binh.

A key highlight of the project in Son La is raising farmers' awareness of market research. Previously, farmers often produced based on experience and sold their products passively. Now, they proactively research market demand, product quality, and pricing to plan their production. This change has helped cooperatives make more effective decisions, reduce risks, and increase product value.

Notably, even after suffering heavy damage from Typhoon Yagi in September 2024, many farmers in Son La actively participated in training courses on post-disaster production recovery, applying new production techniques based on JICA's methods. As a result, these households quickly recovered production within just 1-2 months.

Change mindsets, empower farmers.

A key differentiating factor of the JICA project is the application of the SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion) methodology. This approach, initiated by JICA in Kenya, aims to shift the mindset from "grow and then sell" to "grow to sell."

For Kayano Naoki (center), his time working in Moc Chau was incredibly memorable because of the enthusiasm and eagerness to learn of the farmers. Photo:Duc Binh.

This method is based on four core steps: Selecting target farmers and clearly communicating the objectives; helping farmers become aware of their current situation through surveys and market research; supporting them in making appropriate production decisions; and finally, providing technical solutions to improve efficiency.

In many countries, SHEP has proven the effectiveness of this approach. For example, in Nepal, farmers' net income increased by 50%; in Ethiopia, average income increased 2.7 times. In Malawi, the MA-SHEP project helped farmers improve their livelihoods, increase income, reduce poverty, and enhance their resilience to natural disasters.

By introducing this method to Son La, JICA has helped farmers fundamentally change their production mindset. They no longer grow fruits and vegetables based on habit or trends, but proactively research market demand to decide what to grow, in what quantity, and at what quality. As a result, Son La's agricultural products not only meet safety standards but also satisfy the needs of consumers and purchasing businesses.

According to Mr. Kayano Naoki, to evaluate the project's success, JICA has developed a specific set of criteria, including relevance, consistency, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. Indicators such as gross profit, sales channels, and cooperative participation levels have all been surveyed this year – the final year of the project. This will be an important basis for measuring success and will also lay the groundwork for replicating the model in other localities.