Sustainable Development of Peri-urban Agriculture

in South-East Asia Project
(Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam RS)

Agriculture in Hanoi—A Model for Success

The development of most megacities in Asia is accompanied by an extensive loss of farmland and a high dependence on rural areas for food supplies. This increases food costs for the rising numbers of poor households living in urban areas. Fortunately, this is not true for Hanoi.

A recently published report from the SUSPER project shows that farmers in peri-urban and urban areas of Hanoi supply nearly half (44%) of the city’s food requirements; in comparison, peri-urban and urban areas of Manila supply only 2% of its city’s food needs.

The keys to Hanoi’s productive agricultural systems are its impressive natural resources, productive labor force, strong network of public institutions supporting agriculture, and an active private agri-business sector. These components together form a strong structure of agricultural support that can serve as a model for cities of similar size in Asia.

Nevertheless, our SUSPER team of socio-economists has identified sustainable ways to help Hanoi farmers increase their productivity even further. For example, improvements in the management of manure and fertilizers are needed. Home gardens and livestock sheds, which are owned by a large number of farmers, can be better used to develop improved vegetable and animal technologies. And, more research is needed to develop improved pest management strategies to protect crops and prevent pesticide abuse.

The SUSPER team also recommends policy measures that will encourage cooperative marketing, boost private sector competitiveness, improve the delivery of irrigation water, document good agriculture practices (GAPS), and promote economically viable technologies. The report is available on the SUSPER web site.

Full report (960KB - .pdf)

SUSPER calls for safer poultry production practices

Prior to the bird flu outbreak in January 2004, a team of SUSPER researchers identified many factors contributing to unsafe poultry products in Phnom Penh. The team found a lack of vaccination and disinfection programs, ignorance of veterinary care for animals, and inadequate funds to renovate poultry sheds. The SUSPER team, led by Vincent Porphyre of CIRAD, called for increased government support to poultry producers through training on safe production practices and the establishment of farmer organizations and a disease-surveillance network.

Full report (464KB - .pdf)

Others 

• Early success leads to promotion of grafted tomato technology in northern Vietnam

• Farmers reap profits from tomato growing

• Excellent grafted tomato seedlings available at Hanoi Seeds Compan

• The frog business is hopping

• Regional workshop on vegetable MICS (Market Information and Consultation System)

• A perfect match

• Promoting safe vegetables in Vietnam

• Fishers net more profits using SUSPER nylon cages

• Fresher fish in Ho Chi Minh City

• Laotians want more local vegetables at market

• Technical Workshop and The 3rd Steering Committee meeting in Vientiane

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