Climate change (CC) in Vietnam has been unpredictable in all climate sub-regions where extreme weather events escalating frequently in recent years. According to the 2018 report of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the average temperature in the North and North Central Vietnam is currently 0.5-1.0 ° C higher than those of previous years based on last 30-year data series. In the news broadcasted on the National Television, saline intrusions have been taken place in the Mekong Delta region in recent years, and 50km-intrusion found in some places.
The impacts which caused by climate change to Vietnam are much concerned, when biodiversity is rapidly deteriorated, ecosystems are being destroyed, droughts and floods are occurring more very often, all bringing about negative aspects to the lives of people in general and economic development activities in particular.
Son La is a poor mountainous province in the Northwest sub-region of Vietnam. There are 1.1696 million people in Son La, in which 87% of the population are in rural areas and about 94% are ethnic minorities and the rate of poor households accounts for 40% to 58%. Son La's topography is mostly steep mountainous from 25° upwards, the harsh climate makes this area greatly affected by climate change plus seasonal phenomena such as floods, drought, hoarfrost, hail.
Apart from climate change impacts, the agricultural biodiversity in Son La is gradually being degraded by rampant using of hybrids/GMOs, chemical fertilizers and high residual toxicity plant protection chemicals. These result in the degradation of arable land. Indigenous plants and animals are being lost, which makes it difficult for current crops and domestic animals to cope with pests.
In order to contribute to sharing experiences and smart agricultural models to cope with climate change in Son La province, SRD is carrying out a project titled "Agro-biodiversity conservation and development for poor communities in response to climate change” in Muoi Noi and Bon Phang communes, Thuan Chau District, Son La Province. This project is funded by the Bread for the World (Germany) and Manos Unidas (Spain).
The project is implemented with the engagement of Son La’s Sub-Department of Plant Protection and Plantation, People's Committee of Thuan Chau District People’s Committee as well as Communal People’s Committees of two project’s communes and 300 households in 8 project’s villages in implementing climate smart agricultural (CSA) and climate smart rice (CSR) models, rehabilitating two local sticky rice varieties, gradually shifting traditional coffee farming to organic farming, supporting villagers to raise indigenous chickens using biological pads, etc.
After more than two years of implementation, the project activities have contributed to rehabilitating and successfully preserving the two varieties of sticky rice, namely Tan Lanh and Tan Nhe with the participation of more than 60 households. The eco-diversity is improved with the re-appearance of 7 to 11 species of natural enemies (compared to 3-5 species before the project implemented).
SRD’s effort and local partners are helping local people over the past two years, in using more organic fertilizers, reducing nearly 40% of chemical fertilizers, over 30% of the chemical plant protection and absolutely no chemical burning herbicides containing Glyphosate. Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and the good handling of agricultural waste also help people to contribute to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH4), methane (CH4), etc.
People become more aware of intercropping with many legumes, peanuts or spice crops with plums, coffee, thereby helping to improve soil, prevent soil erosion and degradation, providing more food for the family.
For chicken raising, the project also provided knowledge and techniques to nearly 170 households in 8 project village, helping them to be more confident in preserving and developing indigenous chicken raising thanks for its good climate change adaptation, the product value is higher than hybrid chicken not only additional income but and a source of food for the family as well. Livestock practices and processes have also been significantly improved, contributing to the mitigation of the impacts of climate change by using probiotics and as biological pads. This model helps people reduce the odor from chicken manure completely, thereby processing NH4 and CH4 emissions fairly well.
Although the project has not directly yet contributed much to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, however, it devotes to protect the natural environment, conserve biodiversity, introduce variety of income sources, and provide better food security for people in the project villages. We hope that in the coming years, the existing models will be widely spread and new proper models will be introduced and applied more.
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
