In May 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated a project in Vietnam, funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), to enhance traceability and sustainability in the country’s coffee and rubber sectors. This project aimed to bolster forest monitoring, increase transparency in the supply chain, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers amidst rising market demands for sustainable commodities.
The project kickstarted in Hanoi with meetings to evaluate existing geolocation data systems and explore opportunities for collaboration between various initiatives. FAO and GIZ delved into aligning the AIM4Commodities project with the ongoing SAFE project, particularly focusing on provinces like Son La and Gia Lai. Discussions with the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) centered on integrating national forest and land use data into digital solutions to improve data accuracy and accessibility.
A field visit to Quang Tri province provided practical training to members of the Khe Sanh Coffee Cooperative on using the Open Foris Ground mobile application. This hands-on experience equipped farmers with the tools to map their plots and manage geolocation data independently, thereby enhancing transparency in the value chain.
Local stakeholders, including the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Quang Tri Rubber Group, and the FSC-certified Smallholder Forest Certification Group, acknowledged the significance of these solutions in addressing data challenges and standardizing practices. FAO committed to providing technical support to align systems and standards, ensuring interoperability and flexibility.
The project culminated in a national workshop in Hanoi, where government officials, civil society representatives, and private sector stakeholders convened to discuss the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its implications for Vietnam’s agricultural exports. The workshop highlighted the AIM4Commodities project, introduced the Open Foris suite of solutions, and identified priorities for compliance with deforestation-free regulations.
Looking ahead, FAO plans to expand training and implementation activities in Quang Tri, Son La, and Gia Lai provinces, with a focus on empowering smallholder farmers with accessible digital solutions. The project aims to bridge gaps in data coverage and enhance access to maps, crucial steps in supporting Vietnam’s transition towards sustainable rural development and deforestation-free value chains.
In conclusion, the efforts to strengthen traceability and sustainability in Vietnam’s coffee and rubber sectors underscore the importance of collaboration, technology adoption, and capacity building to meet evolving market demands and ensure the long-term viability of the country’s agricultural exports.
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