Project Detail

Sustainable cultivation on sloping land with endemic species

Vietnam is a country, which is recognised as a centre of origin and diversity for cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.), and other crops. The total number of native plant species found in Vietnam is estimated at 4,800. Conservation of agrobiodiversity is therefore identified as a national priority in the Vietnam National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP, 1995).
The project will be carried out in Phong Chau and Thong Hue Communes, in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, a northern mountainous and border province and is home to a number of ethnic minority groups, such as Tay, Nung. Cao Bang is the area which is rich in plant genetic resources of the ecological zone of northern mountain of Vietnam. Many species and varieties are endemic, important to food security, of highly social and cultural values, and potential for commercial production. For example, in Trung Khanh District, there are endemic species of native plants, such as de Trung Khanh, rice bean Vigna - umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi

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& Ohashi (with vernacular names: dau nho nhe Cao Bang, dau gao, dau do Cao Bang), bitter tea Ilex kaushue Hu, and son tra (one medicinal plant which is endemic in Trung Khanh). However, many of these species and varieties are in danger of extinction. The plant genetic resources of Cao bang in general and of Trung Khanh in particular have significantly declined in terms of both quantity and quality. Common threats to the loss of plant genetic resources from farmlands in Vietnam in general and in Cao Bang and Trung Khanh in particular are the overexploitation of forest and other natural resources, replacement of native varieties by modern ones, lack of incentive for cultivation and conservation of native plants, loss of traditional knowledge about the cultivation of native plants, and lack of awareness and understanding of the specialised potential of native plants.
The project aims to contribute to conserving agrobiodiversity of Trung Khanh District through developing an on-farm conservation model, which encourages farmers to participate in the agrobiodiversity conservation. It will transfer technology on sustainable cultivation on sloping land, utilising native plant species and varieties in Trung Khanh District in an agroforestry model. The project expects to contribute to the potential macro GEF project on agrobiodiversity conservation in Vietnam, which has been initiated and developed by UNDP-GEF Vietnam, in providing the lessons leaned on an on-farm conservation model and community involvement in agrobiodiversity conservation in Vietnam. The project will also join the effort of the international commentates, including UNDP Vietnam as well as the Government in contributing to eradicating hunger and alleviating poverty in the project area through promoting rational use of natural resources and maximising agricultural production to satisfy the food requirements of the people, and to greening the barren land which has resulted from deforestation and slash and burn cultivation practices of the ethnic minorities in the area.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Farmers' Association of Trung Khanh District

Country:

Viet nam

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 17,514.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 8,970.00

Project Number:

SGP/VN/99/028

Start Date:

9/2000

End Date:

9/2003

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Capacity - Building Component

C-B

Notable Community Participation

ComP

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Slive

Project Results

10 training courses were conducted for 500 farmers were trained on sustainable cultivation on sloping land, agricultural and forestry extension service, integrated plant management for maize, rice and vegetable.
- 550 leaflets on sustainable cultivation on sloping land and environmental protection were printed and disseminated to the community.
- Visibility for the project was promoted on environmental days such as the World Environment Day, June 5th and national Day for Fire Prevention and Control October 4th.
- The Project Management Team successfully mobilized members of the Farmers? Union to contribute labor work to build rural roads with total contribution amounting to more than 1,000 working days.
- The project developed a model of 17.4ha on sustainable cultivation on sloping land with the crop structure of indigenous plant trees.
- 50 participating households received loans to invest in intensive farming of indigenous fruit-trees. The project budget for revolving loan programme was 45 million VND. The loan repayment was 82%.
Results of the project demonstration model on sustainable cultivation on sloping land showed that there was positive impact in terms of controlling land degradation due to soil erosion. Controlling soil erosion by creating greenbelt on contour line had the effect of reducing surface runoff; prevent the soil from being washed away and also supplying considerable amount of organic substance (2.5 tons/ha/9 months), which helped improve soil fertility.

Project sustainability
- The local stakeholders of the project were more aware of the importance of environmental protection and of watershed forest protection. The project helped them to be more responsible and more involved in protecting the environment in particular the upstream forests.
- The local stakeholders had the chance to approach international projects from which they leant to enhance their capacity in project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Through the project implementation they also gained better awareness and understanding about environmental issues, including biodiversity conservation and about GEF/SGP in Vietnam.
- The organization of the district and communal Farmers? Union was greatly strengthened, with more practical activities. The good results of the project have helped enhance the role and reputation of the Farmers? Union among its members and the community. The Farmers? Union is now in a better position to advocate other mass organizations to take part in actions to protect the watershed forests and the environment as a whole.

Project replication

- The local government became more aware of environmental issues, biodiversity and the need for the conservation of indigenous plant genetic resources. This is a very practical project that contributed to poverty reduction for the local community, as a result, it was strongly supported by the local government.
- The model of sustainable cultivation on sloping land became the best model of its kind in Trung Khanh District, which attracted a lot of visitors from other parts of the district, from other districts and from neighboring provinces to come for exchanging and learning.
- Many households used their own money to plant North Vietnam tea tree and upscaled the model to cover 2 hectares of land.
- The project model was replicated by the community of Kham Thanh Commune ? Dinh Minh Town ? Chi Vien District with total area of more than 13.5 ha.
- The project will use the loan to replicate the models after the project ends.

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