Project location
The project implemented in 81 villages in 21 provinces out of 61 provinces of Vietnam (Ha Noi, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Ho Chi Minh, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Vung Tau, Ben Tre and Ca Mau)
Villages participate in GP program come from different areas of Vietnam (the North, the Central and the South of Viet Nam) with various conditions such as mountains, plain, tourist, coast, urban areas, traditional villages, minority groups
Project duration: 2 years (2001 – 2003)
Project donor:
Asian Productivity Organization (APO)
Directorate for Standard and Quality (STAMEQ)
Project objectives
-
To identify, train and develop GP teams in 81 selected villages of Vietnam. These teams will be responsible for GP implementation and dissemination.
-
To identify suitable GP options in villages through community participation.
-
To implement GP options for improving the environment and increasing productivity in the villages and in urban sector.
-
To teach the people in community how to achieve sustainability for environmental protection and productivity enhancement within communities.
-
To develop a network of GP teams, experts and facilitators throughout the country.
-
To make the industrial sector aware that environmental protection is the key to survival.
-
To enhance awareness on environmental protection in the whole country
Achievements
The GP program has brought significant benefits for people in rural area in terms of living standard enhancement and environmental protection. The program has achieved the visible outcome such as Biogas, energy saving stoves, hygienic latrine, etc and also invisible achievements such as awareness enhancement of people about their role for environment protection.
GP options have been contributed to solve the following problems:
-
Villagers can understand GP methodology and use this method to solve their own problems faced in their daily life
-
Provide clean water for villages
-
Reduce pesticide pollution through application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Natural Farming (NF)
-
Reduce environmental pollution of human and animal waste by application of biogas, composting
-
Income generation for farmers through GP option implementation such as mushroom cultivation, traditional career development, etc.
-
Energy saving through application of efficient saving stoves, biogas, etc.
-
Sustainable Forest Development
Training
Training and promotion are effective methods to increase local people’s awareness of environmental protection. Through the training courses, people have opportunities to learn technical information that can help them to improve their quality of life and local environment. The training courses vary greatly depending on problems faced as well as related solutions proposed by the GP team. Training in the GP concepts and methodology was held in the 21 provinces with the participation of 1857 people. Training courses on new rice varieties has attracted more than 1000 people in Hai Duong, Enhancing Environmental Awareness Enhancement has attracted 200 people in Phu Hai – Hue; Integrated Pest Management in Ha Tinh, Ho Chi Minh, Nghe An, Phu Yen has more than 700 participants. Through these training courses, people have an opportunity to learn about new GP options, which may help them improve their living standards as well as the environmental conditions in their area
Based on the problems faced in area, the GP team has identified the root causes of problems and generated GP options which are appropriate. The most suitable GP options in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects are implemented.
In term of human and animal waste, 200 pig breeding facilities, 96 biogas plants and 40 plastic bag model biogas plants were constructed. 507 hygienic latrines were constructed to solve human waste problem.
In term of clean water, 16 wells were upgraded, 27 simple water filtration models were applied and rain water collection system was installed to provide clean water for domestic purpose. 38 water treatments were constructed and drainage system was applied to remove wastewater pollution problem.
In term of pesticide and fertilizer management, 127 households applied IPM on rice, fruit and vegetable, proper application of pesticide and chemical fertilizer, natural farming, plantation of safety vegetable and colour table to control pesticide application was introduced and implemented which has significantly reduced the amount of pesticide and chemical fertilizer. Through application of GP options, the use of pesticide and chemical fertilizer has reduced. This brings benefits, not only through reduced risks of chemical usage, but also reduces the financial burden. For example, through the use of a color table to control application of chemical fertilizer was applied to reduce extra application of nitrogenous fertilizer. Appropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizer can reduce the rice lost, which can cause 30 – 40% yield reduction. Through the application of a color table, farmers can reduce the nitrogenous fertilizer from 100 to 50 kg/ha. At a cost of 2 800 VND per 1 kg of nitrogenous fertilizer this represents a cost saving of 140,000 dong – 280,000 dong/ha.
In term of solid waste management, solid waste collection teams and solid waste classification system was established. Solid waste management has been integrated with cultural activities of area, such as solid waste collection campaigns at celebratory times in village. In addition, the establishment of environmental protection regulations have had significant benefits in villages. 183 rubbish bins were constructed for solid waste collection. The application of solid waste management in the communities has contributed to improve environmental conditions in the area, reducing adverse effects to human health through pollution of the environment. The awareness of people has been also enhanced through their daily activities.
449 energy efficient stoves were constructed which has contributed to reduce energy consumption in rural area. Construction of Biogas plants is also one option for energy conservation in rural area.
In term of income generation, 200 advanced furnaces were constructed in Hai Duong province. Mushroom cultivation, worm farming, bee keeping at household levels, Pigeon rearing, frog rearing, develop traditional careers, etc are the GP options which were implemented to increase living standard of people in rural area. Many GP options have brought significant benefits for people. Application of advanced furnaces is one example. This furnace contains a separate dry chamber to ensure improved hygiene and high product quality. Worker’s health is also protected since smoke is released through a high chimney. In economic terms, the return for high quality product is greater. The product price from this furnace is 1000 dong/kg of product which, when considered with an output of 6 tons/5 months/village, the villagers’ income is higher when compared with the application of a traditional furnace. The application of an advanced furnace also saves 5% of fuel.
During five years of implementation, the Green Productivity Program has significantly contributed to rural development in terms of social, economic and environmental protection. The GP options vary, based on the different conditions of each village. GP has become part of people’s lives and can be considered an effective tool for enhancing productivity and socio-economic development in the direction of sustainable development. The concept of GP promotes the ideology that environmental protection should be viewed as an essential element in any development and should be integrated into the global community.
VPC’s role (leader, partner) and level of involvement in the project
VPC is project leader of project. The main responsible of VPC is to coordinate with Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DOSTE), provide different training courses and workshop on GP options
