SRD Launches Climate-Change-Adapted Agricultural and Forestry Project

VUSTA Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh co-chaired the meeting

Attending the meeting was the interdisciplinary supervision team on foreign aid projects of science and technology organizations under the VUSTA led by Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh; representatives of the Foreign Economic Relations Department (Ministry of Planning and Investment); the Department of Internal Political Security (Ministry of Public Security); the Science, Technology and Environment Department, the International Cooperation Department, and the Office Administration of VUSTA.

Representing Son La province were Mrs. Cam Thi Phong - Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; officials from the provincial Public Security Department, Committee for Ethnic Affairs, Farmers' Union, Union of Science and Technology Associations; representatives of the project sponsor - Bread for the World (BftW); Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop - RSD Director and her officials.

The project 'Supporting Poor Communities in Son La Province to Conserve and Develop Agricultural Biodiversity and Adapt to Climate Change' was conducted by SRD from January 2018 to December 2020. The project introduced smart agricultural techniques through the increased use of organic inputs and decreased use of chemicals, thereby reducing greenhouse gases and increasing biodiversity. These results were implemented by the local. The local authorities highly evaluated and even integrated them into the provincial climate change adaptation plan. These results were also the important foundation for BtfW's decision to continue supporting SRD in expanding the project. The project 'Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in the Agriculture and Forestry Sector of the Northwestern Mountain Region - Phase 2' was carried out from January 2021 to December 2023, continuing to bring positive results in agriculture, forestry, and climate change. It was successful thanks to the close cooperation among SRD and international organizations and their partners in Son La province. The outcomes of both projects have contributed to the effectiveness of the socioeconomic development program of Son La province in general and Thuan Chau district in particular.

The project 'Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in the Agriculture and Forestry Sector of the Northwestern Mountain Region - Phase 2' was approved by VUSTA on July 29, 2024, with the non-refundable aid from BftW. They planned to carry out this project in 29 months (from August 2024 to December 2026) in 5 communes of Thuan Chau district: Muoi No, Bon Phang, Nam Lau, Chieng Pha and Phong Lap. The total aid was 705,000 EUR, equivalent to 18,753,000,000 VND. The main objective is to alleviate poverty in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist the local population in adapting to climate change. This project plays a significant role in helping Vietnam achieve its sustainable development goals and fulfil its commitments at COP26.

On behalf of the interdisciplinary supervision team, VUSTA Vice President Pham Ngoc Linh highly appreciated SRD for their achievements in sustainable agricultural and forestry livelihoods, climate change adaptation and environmental protection, forest management and forest law enforcement, research and innovation in national and community socio-economic development programs. He also proposed the provincial People's Committee, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Thuan Chau district authorities, and the residents to closely cooperate with SRD officials in conducting the project. This cooperation would contribute to reducing poverty and greenhouse gas emissions in the project areas, supporting adaptation to climate change, promoting sustainable development, and ultimately working towards achieving NET ZERO by 2050.

SRD signed the contract with their local partner

At the launching ceremony, Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop - SRD Director shared that the center has carried out over 75 projects, gaining valuable lessons in working and collaborating with local partners and sponsors. In its 17 years of operation, SRD has conducted many projects in the fields of agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, climate change and environmental protection. The project 'Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in the Agriculture and Forestry Sector of the Northwestern Mountain Region - Phase 2' aims to achieve the following results: Increase the resilience of communities in the project area to climate change in agriculture and forestry; Increase the ability to accumulate (store) carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture and forestry sector in the project area; Integrate project activities into local socio-economic development programs. Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop hopes that the provincial People's Committee, the Thuận Châu District People's Committee, and project partners will work together with SRD to plan and allocate personnel and time to implement activities that have been delayed compared to the plan. SRD will hold specific meetings with partners; propose VUSTA to regularly organize workshops and trainings on current regulations and share difficulties and challenges to ensure the success and effectiveness of the projects.