The Dak Nong province in Vietnam, Nedspice, Simexcodl and IDH have agreed to further help pepper farmers to produce safe products. During the Dutch trade mission to Vietnam earlier this month, they signed an agreement to address together key sustainable production issues within the next two years.
The sustainable pepper supply chain projects are expected to directly impact 1,100 farmers in the DakNong and Dak Lak province, Vietnam, with an additional 20% of farmers expected to be reached through experience-sharing.
The aim is to build capacity of farmer leader/trainers in sustainable pepper production; to support farmers in strengthening their quality control, and to create a sustainable partnership between companies and pepper farmers which is strongly supported by key stakeholders in the pepper sector.
In addition, IDH in collaboration with the National Agriculture Extension Center (NAEC) shall roll out the earlier developed National Sustainability Curriculum and Agrochemical Apps to make sure that pepper farmers will successfully adopt these. The NAEC will also mainstream the roll-out of the Curriculum and the Apps into their training programs in 2019 onwards. IDH will work together with Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA) and NAEC to further share lessons learnt and experiences within VPA member companies.
Many activities will help farmers and farmer groups to improve their knowledge and capacities to produce safe products. This in turn will also support the positive changes in Vietnamese pepper production practices.