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Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 004/04VIE: Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems MS3: SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems. Vietnamese Institution Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV) Trau Quy, Gia Lam, HANOI VN Project Team Leader Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Khac Thi Australian Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries Gosford Horticultural Institute Centre of Excellence in Market Access and Greenhouse Horticulture Incorporating the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture Australian Personnel Dr. Vong Nguyen; Dr Suzie Newman Dr Sophie Parks; Mr Joseph Ekman Date commenced 30 th September 2005 Completion date (original) 30 th September 2007 Completion date (revised) 30 th November 2007 (to take into account delay in signing of contracts) Reporting period 2 nd Six monthly report Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Dr Vong Nguyen / Dr Suzie Newman Telephone: +61 2 4348 1927 +61 2 4348 1934 Position: Special Research Horticulturist Fax: +61 2 4348 1910 Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries Email: vong.nguyen@dpi.nsw.gov.au suzie.newman@dpi.nsw.gov.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Graham Denney Telephone: Position: Administrative officer Fax: Organisation NSW Department of Primary Industries Email: graham.denney@dpi.nsw.gov.au In Vietnam Name: Associate Prof Dr Tran Khac Thi Telephone: 84-4-8276316 Position: Deputy Director Fax: 84-4-8276148 Organisation Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV), Trau Quy, Gia Lam, HANOI Email: vrqhn@hn.vnn.vn; tkthi@vnn.vn 2 2. Project Abstract Chemical residues left by fungicides and insecticides are among the major problems causing contamination of vegetables in Vietnam. The development of safe food production methods was fostered by the previous NSW Department of Primary Industries project (CARD-0016; 2001-2003) but this can only be realised with further research and development. This project addresses the issues of food safety and food quality from production to market to encourage the economic viability and sustainability of the Vietnamese vegetable industry. This project seeks to: 1) Facilitate the wider implementation and adoption of protected cropping systems of low to medium technology that require fewer chemical inputs through targeted research and extension activities 2) Examine current supply chain constraints and utilise quality assurance principles to implement targeted system improvements and 3) Enhance Vietnamese research, development and extension capacity in the areas of protected cropping systems, postharvest management and quality assurance systems. This project has begun to address these objectives through: 1) research demonstration trials in Hanoi and Lam Dong to identify the most suitable media for greenhouse cucumber and tomato production; 2) training workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh attracting 150+ researchers, extension officers, growers and supply chain partners; and 3) providing advice to greenhouse high technology facilities in Hanoi and Hai Phong. 3. Executive Summary Protected cropping provides vegetable growers with an opportunity to enhance product quality and improve food safety. The overall objective of this project is to provide Vietnamese scientists and extension specialists with the training and tools to implement and foster regionally feasible improvements to current vegetable production practices and supply chains. The project is led by the Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetables with Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences for South Vietnam as the Vietnamese project partners. NSW Department of Primary Industries is the Australian partner. Key achievements during this 2 nd six monthly period include: • The successful development and delivery of two training workshops in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in February 2006 attracting 150+ participants including growers, wholesalers, retailers, researchers and extension officers. The program included presentations from Vietnamese and Australian project partners on protected cropping systems, supply chain management and good agricultural practice (GAP). Proceedings were produced from each workshop. • Two research demonstration trials investigating the effect of different growing media on plant growth and development for tomato and cucumber were completed in March 2006. • The establishment of a research trial at Gosford Horticultural Institute to examine the chemical and physical properties of Vietnamese cocopeat and to determine the water usage of different media (including coir) for greenhouse cucumber and ornamental production. • Visits by the Australian team in February and May 2006 facilitated the planning of up-and-coming workshops, research, training and extension activities. 3 4. Introduction & Background Protected cropping systems provide vegetable farmers with the opportunity to produce high yielding, good quality crops with reduced pesticide inputs. Our previous AusAID-CARD project (0016) focussed on development of a low-tech greenhouse system to enhance the productivity and sustainability of the Vietnamese vegetable industry. The nethouse with run-to-waste cocopeat system was shown to be an effective and cost effective model, however further optimisation and extension of this technology is required to facilitate successful adoption. This project focuses on providing the tools for optimising vegetable production in low-medium technology greenhouses and delivering high quality product to market. This will be achieved through formal and informal training initiatives including in-country workshops, intensive Australian based training programs for research and extension staff and a series of research demonstration trials. This project uses a participatory research approach to foster uptake by both Vietnamese institutions and key stakeholders (farmers, extension agents, supply chain partners). The objectives of this project are to: 1. Facilitate the wider implementation and adoption of protected cropping systems of low to medium technology (greenhouses/nethouses) that require fewer chemical inputs through targeted research and extension activities; 2. Examine current supply chain constraints and utilise quality assurance principles to implement targeted system improvements; 3. Enhance Vietnamese R&D capacity in the areas of protected cropping systems, postharvest management and quality assurance systems. 4. Fostering links between growers, wholesalers, traders and researchers to increase the productivity and competitiveness of Vietnamese smallholder agriculture and related rural enterprises 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights Training workshops and visits by Australian project partners Two visits have been undertaken by Australian staff during this reporting period. The first visit took place in February 2006 with Drs Nguyen, Newman and Parks and Mr Ekman visiting project partners in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi and collaborators in Lam Dong province and Hai Phong. Highlights from this visit included: 1. Organising and delivering two workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. These workshops entitled “Improving the Safety & Quality of Vietnamese Vegetables’ included presentations on protected cropping systems, postharvest management, quality assurance and implementing GAP (Good Agricultural Practice). The workshops featured presentations from Vietnamese and Australian scientists. The workshops attracted around 100 extension and plant protection horticulturists and 50 vegetable traders and growers. Workshop participants came from 35 provinces throughout North and South Vietnam. One of the highlights of the workshops was the discussion forums and it is recommended that they be extended in future workshop programs. 4 2. Visiting demonstration trials, greenhouse centres and farmer properties in Hanoi, Hai Phong and Lam Dong. 3. Developing collaborative links with the High Technology Greenhouse Centres in Hanoi and Hai Phong and supply chain partners such as Metro. The second visit by Dr Nguyen took place in May 2006 and focused on reviewing the results from the research demonstration trials and preparing for the up-and-coming training period for Vietnamese project personnel. This trip also provided the opportunity for reviewing the project and developing future directions. Travel reports were produced covering these trips and are available on request from the Australian project team. Vietnam Research Demonstration Trials Research demonstration trials have been completed in Hanoi and Lam Dong province comparing the effectiveness of different media on cucumber and tomato production. Hanoi This trial was carried out at the Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetables (RIFAV). The trial compared the suitability of 4 different media for tomato (VL2500) and cucumber (Status) production. The design was a randomized block design with 5 replicates. The 4 media were: • Media 1 - Sugar cane waste & peanut husk & soybean • Media 2 - Sugar cane waste & peanut husk & peat • Media 3 - Sugar cane waste & peat & volcanic rock • Media 4 - Cocopeat The trials were sown in November (tomato) and December (cucumber). During the workshop in Hanoi participants were invited to inspect the trial and this provided an opportunity for more informal discussion on protected cropping systems. Ho Chi Minh This trial was organized on a farmers property in Don Duong, Lam Dong province where tomato is the major vegetable crop. Tomatoes (ManilLa and 386) and cucumbers were sown in November 2005 on 4 different media: • Media 1 – Cocopeat and sand and cow manure • Media 2 – Cocopeat • Media 3 – Coffee bean husk and cow manure • Media 4 – Peat and cow manure and NPK The trial was set-up as a randomised complete block design with 3 replicates. 5 Data from both these trials are currently being prepared for analysis. Cocopeat Research (Dr Sophie Parks and Dr Ross Worrall) Characterising cocopeat Work has also commenced at Gosford Horticultural Institute comparing the physical and chemical characteristics of Vietnamese sourced coir with other products on the market. Qualities measured will include: • pH • salinity • colour • water holding capacity • air filled porosity • moisture retention curves • profile of particle sizes • lime requirement • wicking ability • water use Australian and European standards for measuring the physical and chemical characteristics of growing media will be used to evaluate coir. Quantifying the variation of products over time is important being commercially relevant. We currently have about 6 samples of coconut fibre from Vietnam obtained at different times. Each sample constitutes an experimental unit. Variation within each unit (sample) will also be important to quantify. Variation between samples will determine an ideal number of samples to carry out (if practical). Greenhouse media water usage A trial has also been established at GHI to compare the water usage of different media (including coir) for cucumber and flannel flower production. Two species that differ in water requirements were chosen. These include cucumber having a high water requirement and an ornamental, flannel flower, as the low water requiring comparison. A low technology system is being used to determine the daily water use of plants growing in a greenhouse. Water wicks up into the substrate from the base of the pot fed by an individual tank. As the plant uses water the level in the tank drops and can be measured. Pots without plants have been included to allow estimation of the evapotranspiration of units. Two substrate mix types, one including coir will be compared. Mix 1: 25% sand 25% perlite 25% pine bark 25% coir Mix 2: 25% sand 25% perlite 50% pine bark 6 The inclusion of coir is expected to increase the wicking ability of mix 1. The effect of the two mixes on plant growth and water use will be determined. Measurements: • Physical and chemical characteristics of mixes before and after the experiment • Daily water use • Leaf area (at weeks 3,6,9 & 12) • Flannel flower number • Cucumber fruit number/weight • Plant dry weight • Daily solar radiation and temperature will be monitored using sensors and related to water use (providing a predictive model). 5.2 Smallholder Benefits The workshops in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi provided a training opportunity for the 15 farmers that participated. Linkages with these farmers will be fostered throughout the life of the project to facilitate rapid adoption of project outputs. 5.3 Capacity Building Capacity building has been the focus of much of the project activities during the last six months. Activities undertaken include: in-country workshops; furthering collaborative links with the High Technology Greenhouse Centres in Hanoi and Hai Phong and preparing for the intensive training program for Vietnamese scientists in Australia. Regional workshops Regional workshops (as detailed in section 5.1) were held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in February 2006. Table 1 summarizes the participants at each workshop. Table 1 Workshop invitees Location Date Participants Number attending Ho Chi Minh 14 th and 15 th February Research Institutes and Universities 7 Provincial Agricultural Officers 38 Agricultural companies/supply chain partners 11 Growers 13 Media 3 Hanoi 21 st and 22 nd February Research Institutes and Universities 33 Provincial 57 7 Agricultural Officers Consultants and growers 12 Media 5 Other 2 Workshop proceedings were produced for each workshop and provided to participants. The workshop program featured presentations from Vietnamese and Australian scientists and Metro supermarkets. A copy of the program for each workshop is attached in Appendix 1. The discussion forum provided the opportunity for workshop participants and speakers to discuss and exchange ideas GAP systems, supply chain management, postharvest technology and protected cropping systems. It is recommended that next two workshops in Hue and Can Tho provide more opportunities for round table group discussion. The field trip at the Ho Chi Minh workshop to the central market (Thu Duc) and Metro supermarkets also enabled more informal discussion to take place on supply chain management and quality assurance. Vo Van Nam (An Phu Distribution Center Manager) and Thai Hong Xuan Nguyet (Supply Chain Manager) provided the workshop participants with an overview on Metro’s approach to supply chain management from farm to store. Whilst it is recognized that Metro represents only a very small proportion of the vegetable market (the top-end), their supply chain model represents current best practice in Vietnam and was of considerable interest to workshop participants. 5.4 Publicity Both workshops were covered by the local television networks (HTV and VTV) with stories running in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. A Vietnamese paper published an article by Dr Vong on safe vegetable production, GAP and Vietnam’s joining the WTO (Nguyen Quoc Vong, 2006. Can cai “bat tay” giua ban nha (A necessary “hand-shade” of three experts). Quoc Te . Vol. 2, 2006: 12 – 18 January: Page 13. (in Vietnamese)). An article was also produced on the project for the first issue of the CARD newsletter (CARD 004/04 VIE: Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems. CARD Newsletter June 2006. Page 5). 5.5 Project Management As mentioned in the previous milestone report, the delayed start date of September 2005 (8 months later than the original proposal) will require some modification to project milestones. It is requested that the following adjustments be made to project milestones: Milestone Due date Proposed date 4 December 2006 April 2007 5 January 2007 April 2007 6 January 2007 January 2007 8 7 April 2007 July 2007 8 July 2007 September 2007 9 September 2007 November 2007 Despite the delayed start date the project remains on-track, however some activities have had to be compressed into a shorter period of time. In September 2007, there will be a change in Australian team leader when Dr Vong Nguyen retires. Dr Suzie Newman will take over as Australian team leader but Dr Nguyen will continue to be involved with the project and participate in the workshops next year. 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment The training workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh focused on GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), providing participants with some insight into what is required under the various GAP systems. This is timely given the imminent release of the ASEAN GAP guidelines. At the present time the Vietnamese vegetable industry falls short of the environmental requirements under many GAP systems with use of non-composted farm manure, unregistered chemicals and inadequate with-holding periods. Providing plant protection officers and extension specialists with knowledge on GAP systems and how they are implemented should assist Vietnam with the uptake of these systems over the next few years. Greenhouse production provides farmers with the opportunity to use less fertilizer and pesticides, which ultimately is better for the environment. However to achieve this requires a high level of management and maintenance of a clean greenhouse environment. In some of the protected cropping structures we have visited growers were having problems controlling diseases. This seems to be primarily due to either poor greenhouse hygiene or where the greenhouse design does not provide sufficient ventilation to reduce the humidity within the house. This increased disease incidence is likely to lead to an increased number of sprays being applied. During the visit by the Australian team they provided advice on how disease problems may be reduced inside the greenhouse and hopefully this will lead to less disease problems and ultimately less chemicals being applied. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues This CARD project will continue to address gender and social issues as they arise throughout the project. 9 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints The geographic spread of the institutes involved in this project (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hue) results in the Australian team only visiting some of the regions each trip. This places greater reliance on communication by e-mail to ensure that trials and workshop preparations are going smoothly. It also makes it not feasible for the entire project team to meet as a group, requiring separate planning activities for each region. 7.2 Options The visits to Australia by Vietnamese scientists from each region at the same time have promoted team development. It is also proposed that the Vietnamese project leader and one of the IAS project team be invited to the workshop in Hue to enable a project meeting to take place and facilitate closer collaboration. 7.3 Sustainability A number of the demonstration trials will take place on farm, facilitating greater uptake of results by farmers. The comparison of field and greenhouse production should clearly demonstrate whether or not greenhouse production is economically viable in each region. 8. Next Critical Steps The following activities will take place in the next six months: • Intensive training period for 3 Vietnamese project personnel at Gosford Horticultural Institute. • Planning and development of workshops in Hue and Can Tho • Design and implementation of further research demonstration trials in Hanoi, Hue and Lam Dong • Continued research on cocopeat at GHI 9. Conclusion Highlights from the last six months include: • Holding 2 workshops on ‘Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables’ in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh • Completing phase 1 of the research demonstration trials in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh • Commencing work at GHI on characterising the chemical and physical properties of Vietnamese cocopeat. The project is currently on-track and so far there have been no major constraints to project implementation. 10 . Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems. Vietnamese. produced on the project for the first issue of the CARD newsletter (CARD 004/04 VIE: Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance,. capacity building in quality assurance, postharvest management and high technology protected cropping systems MS3: SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Improving