Viet Nam's Poor Gains from Participatory Agriculture Research and Extension

The agriculture sector in Viet Nam was highly fragmented, with low investments and ineffective linkage among research, extension services, and support facilities. Traditional top-down approach had also led to the sector’s failure to tap local farming know-how. This knowledge showcase illustrates how engaging poor farmers in improving agriculture productivity and incomes can yield successful results.

When Viet Nam joined the World Trade Organization in 2007, it opened itself up to stiffer competition. This highlighted the need to improve the country’s agriculture science and technology (AST). To assist Viet Nam in this endeavor, ADB implemented a project that adopted a bottom-up approach to improving the quality and diversity of the country’s produce. It also worked to enhance productivity and technology development.

The project team asked poor farmers to identify the most-deserving beneficiaries and their most urgent needs. From the farmers’ inputs, the project invited potential researchers—in an open bidding process—to submit proposals to respond to these needs. This removed the traditional monopoly of extension offices and allowed farmer groups, civil society, and other stakeholders access to research funds. New curriculum covering better use of natural resources, climate change, and new agricultural technologies were offered to farmers.

The project already shows signs of early impact achievement. By linking training, research, and extension services, the AST project was able to foster natural resource management that the poor can participate in, with practical and sustainable results.