Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung delivering a speech at the event

At the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Mr. Vo Van Hung, presented the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development to Ms. Sonja Esche, Head of the Agriculture and Climate Team at GIZ Vietnam and Director of the GIC Vietnam Project. This recognition honors her significant contributions to Vietnam’s agricultural development. Additionally, 14 individuals and organizations with outstanding achievements in the project received certificates of merit from the Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development.

Deputy Minister Hung praised the GIC Project for laying the foundation for a transition from traditional agricultural production to an agribusiness-oriented and multi-value agriculture. He emphasized that the project serves as a catalyst for scaling up innovative, sustainable farming practices across Vietnam.

Transforming rice and mango farming in the Mekong Delta

Implemented between 2021 and 2025, the GIC Project focused on the rice and mango value chains in six Mekong Delta provinces: An Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, and Soc Trang. The project introduced ten key innovative solutions, including sustainable rice cultivation techniques, alternate wetting and drying irrigation, integrated pest management, organic rice-shrimp farming, straw residue management, mango pruning and canopy management, soil nutrient optimization, and efficient irrigation methods.

The project’s interventions have brought remarkable improvements in rice farming. By applying sustainable farming techniques, farmers have managed to reduce water usage by 28%, chemical fertilizer consumption by 8.6%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 63% compared to traditional farming methods. These advancements not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also result in higher economic returns. Farmers who adopted these innovations experienced an increase in average profit by 8-11%, demonstrating the financial viability of sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, the proportion of rice farmers meeting the European Union’s pesticide residue standards increased by 21%, enhancing export potential and food safety.

At the conference, Ms. Sonja Esche, Head of the Agriculture and Climate Team at GIZ Vietnam and Director of the GIC Vietnam Project, was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development in recognition of her contributions to advancing Vietnam’s agricultural sector

For mango farming, the project has also yielded impressive results. By implementing optimized fertilization techniques and improved post-harvest handling, chemical fertilizer usage has been reduced by 25%, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining productivity. Additionally, the shelf life of mangoes has been extended from 7 days to 35 days, an increase of 500%, allowing farmers better access to high-value markets. Yield per hectare has improved by 29%, and as a result, farmers’ average income has increased by 20%, showcasing the effectiveness of green agricultural practices in boosting profitability.

Beyond farm-level improvements, the project engaged nearly 300 cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhancing business operations, governance, and market access. The project directly supported 91 rice cooperatives and 39 mango SMEs, helping them implement improved management strategies and innovative business models. Additionally, 43 pilot models were introduced to test and validate innovative farming approaches, proving their economic and environmental benefits. The success of these initiatives has translated into tangible social impacts, including the creation of 307 new jobs, with 57% allocated to women and 58% to young workers, demonstrating the project’s role in promoting gender equality and youth employment in rural areas.

A model for green growth and sustainable agriculture

Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung emphasized that the experiences and innovations from the GIC Project will be instrumental in Vietnam's ongoing agricultural restructuring efforts. In particular, these insights will directly contribute to the implementation of the One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice for Green Growth Initiative in the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Le Duc Thinh, Director of the Department of Cooperative Economy and Rural Development, highlighted that despite being implemented during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GIC Project surpassed its original goals. He affirmed that Vietnam’s success in green innovation will be documented and shared internationally, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Oemar Idoe, representing GIZ Vietnam, noted that the GIC Project represents a new approach in bilateral cooperation, integrating multi-stakeholder partnerships to develop sustainable value chains.

Speaking at the conference, Ms. Sonja Esche expressed her appreciation for the recognition and emphasized the significance of the project’s achievements. “The results of the GIC project have far exceeded our expectations, both in terms of the number of innovations introduced and the scale of their adoption. All stakeholders involved can take great pride in these accomplishments,” she remarked. She highlighted that one of the key success factors was the broad participation of various actors, from national to local authorities, research institutions, and private sector partners. The project’s holistic approach ensured that innovations were tailored to the specific conditions of the Mekong Delta and fully integrated into existing local structures.

As Vietnam advances its green growth agenda, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment remains committed to expanding sustainable farming models and fostering innovation-friendly policies. Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung urged local authorities to replicate the project's successes and emphasized that agricultural value lies not only in production but in branding, processing, and global market integration.

The GIC Vietnam Project, funded with €7 million from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), stands as a testament to Vietnam’s commitment to climate-smart agriculture. By scaling up these innovations, Vietnam aims to strengthen its agricultural resilience, increase farmer incomes, and solidify its leadership in sustainable food production.

Ho Thao