Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) No. 151/TTHT-SKHCN-ĐHQT dated September 26, 2023 between International University and the Department of Science and Technology of Binh Thuan province. Receiving remarkable support from the Department, People’s Committee of Phan Hoa – Bac Binh district, People’s Committee of Tuy Phong district – Binh Thuan, People’s Committee of Bac Son commune – Thuan Bac – Ninh Thuan and Canh Dong Viet Food Joint Stock Company.
On April 22 and 23, 2024, a group of researchers from RCE Southern Vietnam, hosted by the International University – National University Ho Chi Minh City including Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Hop, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Management; Dr. Ha Thi Xuan Chi, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Management; Dr. Nguyen Dinh Uyen, Lecturer of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, Head of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer, Head of RCE Southern Vietnam; MSc. Nguyen Nhat Thoai, Officer of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer.
and ME. John Joshua Coward, Officer of Institute of Environmental Learning from the British Columbia and North Cascades RCE hosted at Simon Fraser University, embarked on a comprehensive survey in Phan Hoa, Phan Thanh – Bac Binh District, Tuy Phong District in Binh Thuan Province, and Phan Rang-Thap Cham district, Bac Son-Thuan Bac District in Ninh Thuan Province. The objective of the survey was to gain insights into the livelihoods of indigenous farmers and their agricultural practices, focusing on understanding the challenges they face and identifying opportunities and learning materials for sustainable development and education.
Throughout our journey, we visited various indigenous communities (The Cham in Binh Thuan and The Raglai in Ninh Thuan) and engaged in meaningful interactions with the farmers. We observed their traditional farming techniques for rice, cashew, grape, and jujube crops in Binh Thuan and aloe vera cultivation in Ninh Thuan. These techniques have been passed down through generations, relying on a deep connection with the land and nature. Local farms encountered issues related to supply and demand, product storage, specific climate conditions, and a lack of fresh water, resulting in ad-hoc and unsustainable transitions in agricultural practices.
We also had the opportunity to visit Canh Dong Viet Food JSC, a manufacturer of aloe vera-based products. This company serves as a local role model for sustainable practices. They have established stable value chains and promoted social welfare for the labour force, particularly for indigenous communities.
In summary, our survey highlighted the local issues of global concern. Our team is eager to promote sustainable practices collaborating with relevant stakeholders that will significantly contribute to the local agricultural economy and improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged farmers in the face of climate hazards.
