Overview of the 2024 Sum-up and 2025 Planning Workshop of Forest and Farm Facilitation phase II in Vietnam

    The workshop brought together nearly 100 participants, including representatives from ministries, research institutes, international and non-governmental organizations, enterprises, and various stakeholders. Notably, leaders from provincial Farmers’ Unions and representatives from cooperatives and farmer groups involved in the FFF II program were also in attendance.

    In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Ha – Deputy Director of Administration Department and Deputy Director of the Project Management Board for FFF II – emphasized that agriculture and forestry continue to play a critical role in Vietnam’s national economy. As of 2024, the sector accounted for approximately 12% of the national economic structure. In 2022, the export value of wood and wood products exceeded USD 16 billion, ranking sixth among Vietnam’s major export sectors.

    As of 2024, Vietnam has over 14 million hectares of forest, including 10 million hectares of natural forest and 4 million hectares of plantation forest, with a forest coverage rate nearing 42%. Approximately 3 million hectares are managed, protected, and developed by farmer households.

    Under the direction of the VNFU Central Standing Committee, the Administration Department (formerly named as External Affairs and International Cooperation Department) and the FFF II Program Management Board have continued implementing the extended Phase II of the FFF Program (2023–2025), funded by FAO, in collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies and Farmers’ Unions in five provinces: Yên Bai, Bac Kan, Hoa Binh, Son La and Thai Nguyen.

    The FFF program aims to strengthen the capacity of forest and farm producer organizations, including households, women, youth, and ethnic minorities, to pursue sustainable forest and farm development, reduce poverty, and adapt to climate change. It also seeks to enhance the institutional capacity of farmer organizations to provide services and represent their members in policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and advocacy at local, national, and international levels.

    Despite facing numerous challenges during the extended Phase II, the program has achieved positive outcomes. It currently supports 57 cooperative groups and cooperatives across the five provinces, involving over 1,000 core member households and 1,719 affiliated households – with 41.5% being women, 61% ethnic minorities, and 11.7% youth. Over 15,000 farmers and VNFU staff have benefited from the program so far.

    Notably, the participating provincial Farmers’ Unions (FU) have reported significant results, especially in providing support to cooperative groups and cooperatives. Yen Bai provincial FU has developed 12 cooperative groups and cooperatives in organic cinnamon, FSC-accredited acacia, mulberry, medicinal herbs, forest-based beekeeping and eco-agriculture services. Bac Kan provincial FU has 11 groups focused on litsea wood, acacia, star anise, bamboo, organic sticky rice, winter melon, red canna, vermicelli, medicinal herbs, beekeeping, and fruit trees. Hoa Binh provincial FU boasts 13 cooperatives working in organic red pomelo, native forest plantations, mushroom cultivation, forest-based poultry, and medicinal herb harvesting and processing. Son La provincial FU has 12 cooperatives specializing in agroforestry processing, teak plantations, community-based tourism, organic vegetables and strawberries, and VietGAP-certified fruit. Thai Nguyen provincial FU has 9 cooperatives engaged in forest plantation, forest-based chicken farming, acacia wood, nursery garden, herbal, fruit cultivation…

    There are 4 main expected outcomes of FFF II program: First, More enabling policy and legal frameworks for forest and farm producer’s organizations (FFPOs) delivered through more FFPO-inclusive governance and cross-sectoral processes. Second, Increased entrepreneurship, access to markets and finance through gender equitable value chains delivered through new capacity to provide business incubation within FFPOs. Third, Improved delivery of landscape scale mitigation, adaptation and climate resilience for climate change through direct engagement of FFPOs and integration with inclusive livelihood approaches. Four, Improved and equitable access to social and cultural services.

Thanks to FFF II program, value chains has been created, income of cooperative members has increased by 15–20%. In particular, over 12,000 hectares of acacia has been FSC-certified; more than 14,000 hectares of cinnamon has been certified as organic; 114 hectares of fruits (pomelo, orange, strawberry) has got VietGAP and PGS/OCOP certification; and 115 hectares of forest-raised poultry has got biosecure, OCOP recognition.

    In addition, cooperative groups, cooperatives now directly implement many climate adaptation models involving integrated livelihood strategies. FUs have supported 43 out of 51 cooperative groups, cooperatives to adopt climate-resilient farming practices; 31 cooperative groups, cooperatives to provide social and cultural services to their members. More than 100 livelihood models that promote forest and landscape resilience to climate change and natural disasters have also been established, including large timber reforestation, native species cultivation, NTFPs (non-timber forest products), agroforestry tourism, and smart agriculture – all of which have received high praise from authorities and stakeholders.

    Forest and farm producers participating in cooperative groups, cooperatives have experienced the benefits of cooperation, organic production, climate change adaptation, added value creation, and the preservation of cultural and social identity. Some cooperative groups have grown into full-fledged cooperatives and are now confidently participating in the value chains of timber and non-timber forest products, supplying supermarkets and even reaching export markets.

    To achieve the aforementioned successes, Vietnam Farmers' Union at all levels has received strong support, collaboration and assistance from ministries, agencies, organizations and local authorities. To date, the FFF II Program has affirmed its importance in supporting farmers in agricultural production and diversifying products from forest-based livelihoods.

    At the workshop, delegates, experts, officials, and farmers actively participated in discussions and evaluations of the FFF II Program’s 2024 activities. They also shared experiences and updated each other on relevant policies, programs, and projects, while strengthening partnerships and cooperation to promote sustainable forest and farm development in response to climate change.

    Overall, forest and farm farmers participating in cooperative groups and cooperatives highly appreciated the positive outcomes brought by the FFF II Program—organic production, climate change adaptation, value enhancement, and the preservation of cultural and social identity.

    To ensure continued success in 2025, the FFF II Central Management Board has set out a focused action plan for the current context, including: Continue supporting and strengthening existing cooperatives while encouraging the formation of new ones; Highlight the benefits of teamwork, cooperation, and value chain linkages, while strengthening organizational capacity and improving production and business management for collaborative groups and cooperatives; Enhance organizational and business management capacities ; Improve the VNFU’s service delivery capabilities (e.g., branding, geographical indications, input supply, credit access, product marketing); Expand collaboration with partners, authorities, and businesses to share innovations and mobilize resources; Replicate successful models and expand program coverage…

    The FFF II Program has not only helped develop local value chains and increase farmer incomes but has also empowered provincial Farmers’ Unions to leverage local strengths and promote sustainable development under forest canopies.