Organic Spice Production (OSP) in Vietnam

The project promotes a replicable model on diversified, ecological and climate-resilient multi-crop production systems for selected spices in Cao Bang province, Vietnam

The Agriculture in Vietnam

Agriculture and forestry play a vital role in Vietnam. The cultivation of cinnamon and other spices has significantly improved rural living standards, especially in the northern region, often on the basis of intensive, high-density and monocultural farming methods. While securing short-term gains, unsustainable production systems have increased soil erosion, depletion, pollution, and loss of biodiversity as well as vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events in Vietnam. These issues threaten the long-term sustainability of the region’s ecosystems and economy, highlighting the need for balanced, sustainable agricultural practices.

Portrait Vietnam

Cao Bang is a mountainous province l in the northeast of Vietnam.

It is home to around 550.000 people, most of which belong to ethnic minorities and live from small-scale farming. High poverty rates, natural disasters (e.g. floods) and biodiversity loss prevent sustainable agricultural and economic development, while local authorities promote an ecological transformation of farming systems in Cao Bang.

The Project

The visible economic gains of intensive monocultural farming systems have also attracted the interest of farmers in Ha Quang and Thanh An districts in Cao Bang, despite their unsustainable nature and attempts of provincial governments to promote sustainable farming practices. Against this background, the project focuses on demonstrations and capacity building to increase awareness, practical experiences and adoption of diversified and sustainable production systems among 3,000 smallholder farmers producing organic spices (result area 1) as well as activities to promote sustainable land use planning at provincial level and landscape restoration (result area 2).

Project Goals

Cultivation methods and diversification of spice production of five key crops (ginger, chilli, garlic, lemongrass and turmeric) in the two districts of Ha Quang and Thach An of Cao Bang is improved
Sustainable land use planning and landscape restoration in both districts is improved

Results and Successes

Five demo plots for intercropped ginger established, initial training provided to 67 farmers (53 male, 14 female)
Four training courses on organic fertilizer methods attended by 252 farmers (230 male, 22 female)
Start of a market study, to summarize implicit expert knowledge, available data and production-side findings to make this available to market players

Project Partners and Cooperation

DACE – (organizing the farmers to produce organic spices, assist farmers in producing compost, including EM Effective Microorganisms, identifying markets for organic spices and arranging exports.
Cha Dô – Identifying spice markets in Germany and beyond, visit trade fairs to promote Vietnamese organic spices, organise buyer visits to Cao Bang to promote the spices
Naturland/VOAA – Organising the certification for the 3,000 farmers, Developing training content and materials on organic farming and organic standards (including e-learning modules) for various target audiences and delivering training, Devising strategies for organic value chains and networking, Delivering information and awareness campaigns to consumers
Non-Timber Forest Products Research Center (NTFPRC) – Identifying tree species for intercropping with Cinnamon and Star Anis, Producing seedlins of selected indigeous species
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Cao Bang Province – Collaborate with Helvetas and DACE to sucessfully implement the project, Jointly develop landscape plans for the extension of the Spice production, Produce and promote expansion of seedlings from local tree species