A dialogue for the future: Vietnam relies on sustainable agriculture!

A dialogue for the future: Vietnam relies on sustainable agriculture!

A few days ago an important forum entitled “Listening to the Farmers” took place in Vietnam. Organized by the President of the Vietnamese Farmers Association and the Minister of Agriculture and Environment, it was an important occasion to promote direct discussions between farmers and managers. Huynh Tan Dat, director of the Department of Crop Production and Protection, said the forum serves as a crucial channel for recommendations from the agricultural sector. The aim is to specifically develop political measures and solutions to overcome the challenges facing agriculture. Secretary-General To Lam also considered the need to listen more to the population and the Prime Minister called for more intensive communication to solve existing problems.

A central focus of the event was the emphasis on sustainable and responsible production methods. The presidents emphasized that farmers contribute significantly to the success of the agricultural sector and the international positioning of Vietnamese agricultural products. In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam recorded an impressive export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products worth US$52.3 billion. Farmers' recommendations for safe and responsible production were also the focus of the forum, which discussed the transition to environmentally friendly, modern and sustainable agriculture.

Challenges and solutions in agriculture

The situation in Quang Binh Province and Luang Prabang (Laos) highlights the challenges that many farmers face. The population there mainly lives from cultivation on local fields, but environmental destruction and increasing industrial land grabs endanger their existence. Around 80 percent of the areas around the Vietnamese villages of Ke, Chuoi and Cao are considered forest areas, but large parts have already been destroyed. Foreign investors are clearing the forests for acacia plantations, while the local population is overexploiting due to a lack of income opportunities and a lack of knowledge about the consequences.

These developments have resulted in deteriorating crops and infertile soils that are prone to landslides and floods during heavy rains. More than half of the households have hardly any arable land, and almost 90 percent of the seeds have to be sourced externally. To counter these challenges, SODI (Solidarity with People in Need) has established eco-model farms. Targeted promotion of sustainable farming methods is now more important than ever.

Sustainable agriculture as the key to the future

Meanwhile, Vietnam is attending the FAO Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in Sri Lanka to discuss challenges and priorities related to nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized the need to adapt to the trend of green agriculture. This includes not only innovative projects, but also a strategic focus on CO2 reduction and organic cultivation. Rice cultivation in combination with other breeding methods already shows exemplary approaches to responsible management.

At the same time, Vietnam has announced the start of the “Sustainable development of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation area” project in 2024, which is expected to cover one million hectares by 2030. This project aims to take responsibility in the fight against climate change and build low-emission agriculture. Digital transformation is highlighted as a key measure to increase transparency and promote the production and sales of agricultural products.

Developments in this area show that agriculture in Vietnam faces major challenges, but also offers numerous opportunities. With a clear focus on sustainable solutions and an intensive dialogue between farmers and authorities, a sustainable agricultural landscape can be created that meets both the needs of the population and the requirements of the market. Vietnam's efforts in environmentally friendly agriculture could not only contribute to food security, but also strengthen the country's reputation at the international level.

For further details you can read the reporting from vietnam.vn, aktion-deutschland-hilft.de and vovworld.vn see.