Agroforestry for Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Vietnam – Research in Development

In Northwest Vietnam, rain-fed crop cultivation is dominated by monoculture maize,upland rice and cassava on sloping lands. The loss of topsoil during the rainy season leadsto a depletion of soil fertility and plant nutrients leading to reduction in crop yield. Farmershave to invest heavily in chemical fertilisers for the maize to remain productive comparedto the past. Harsh weather conditions also reduce yields or even lead to crop loss and makesoil and water conservation more difficult.The project has introduced trees in mono-cropped landscapes through agroforestry toreduce dependence on annual crops, as well as increase and diversifies incomes from treeproducts, while also conserving the natural resource base. The research approach combineddifferent activities, which support each other to be possible bring valuable researchresults to apply to reality. The agroforestry systems were designed through participatorywhich the scientific knowledge and local knowledge are combined. These established trialsare evaluated to find out the suitable options. The add value for agroforestry adoptionalso involved research on propagation of priority agroforestry species, small-scale nurserydevelopment, research and transfer processing techniques, exploring value-adding opportunitiesby smallholders and facilitating links between producers and other market actors.The research findings were spread through farm cross-visits, farmer field days and trainingsessions held at the test sites, accompanied by regular impact assessments. In addition,these findings were used to inform the communication strategies, policy dialogues, extensionand expansion activities through workshops, media products, extension materials andtraining. To promote the agroforestry adoption, the project has been developed at threelevels: Participatory Farmer Trials, Farmer Demonstration Trials and Exemplar Landscapeswhere the scientific knowledge and local knowledge are combined and utilised. Thisapproach is primarily based on the classic extension and dissemination theories, but highlightsthe important elements of collective action and social capital development amongfarmers, and between extension workers, local governments and researchers. The resultshave been found useful in demonstrating farmer adoption of agroforestry practices anddeveloping value chains and market linkages in varying contexts, and they support thelocal governments to define strategy development through policy interventions.

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