History of agroforestry research and development in Viet Nam Analysis of research opportunities and gaps Nguyen Thi Hoa, Delia Catacutan 0 History of agroforestry research and development in Viet Nam Analysis of research opportunities and gaps Nguyen Thi Hoa, Delia Catacutan LIMITED CIRCULATION Correct citation Nguyen TH, Catacutan D. 2012. History of agroforestry research and development in Viet Nam: analysis of research opportunities and gaps. Working paper 153. Hanoi, Viet Nam: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Southeast Asia Regional Program. DOI: 10.5716/WP12052.PDF. 32p. Titles in the Working Paper Series disseminate interim results on agroforestry research and practices to stimulate feedback from the scientific community. Other publication series from the World Agroforestry Centre include Agroforestry Perspectives, Technical Manuals and Occasional Papers. Published by the World Agroforestry Centre Southeast Asia Regional Program Jalan CIFOR, Situ Gede, Sindang Barang 0 Bogor 16115 [PO Box 16001, Bogor 16001] Jawa Barat, Indonesia Tel: +62 251 8625415 Fax: +62 251 8625416 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.worldagroforestry.org © World Agroforestry Centre 2012 The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the World Agroforestry Centre. Articles appearing in this publication may be quoted or reproduced without charge, provided the source is acknowledged. All images remain the sole property of their source and may not be used for any purpose without written permission of the source. The authors Nguyen Thi Hoa MSc Researcher World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Viet Nam No. 8, Lot 13A, Trung Hoa Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam Telephone: (+84) 4 3783 4645 Email: [email protected] Website: www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/vn/ Delia Catacutan PhD Senior social scientist and country representative World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Viet Nam No. 8, Lot 13A, Trung Hoa Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam Phone: (+84) 4 3783 4645 Email: [email protected] Website: www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/vn 0 - i - Abstract Agroforestry is considered as one of the best approaches to deal with shifting cultivation and climate change. In Viet Nam, the practice of agroforestry has been documented since the 1960s under two common systems: ‘garden-fish pond- livestock’ and ‘forest-garden-fish pond-livestock’. However, not until 1990 were innovative agroforestry techniques and systems at the field level introduced in line with government interventions to halt shifting cultivation. Through intensive literature review, we outline the history of agroforestry research and development activities in Viet Nam, identify the drivers and agents of change and discuss the issues and challenges facing agroforestry in Viet Nam. The paper also discusses the opportunities and research gaps in agroforestry. Our analysis indicated that it is very important to put more effort into researching agroforestry systems that take into account local ecological knowledge and designing practices that enhance the multi- functionality of landscapes. In addition, demonstrating the role of these systems in improving livelihoods, enhancing resilience and in climate-change mitigation and adaption should be an important part of a more systematic research and development agenda agroforestry in Viet Nam. Keywords: agroforestry, alley cropping, climate change, landscape, taungya, shifting cultivation, Viet Nam - ii - Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support from the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry’s component on environmental services and landscape management. We also would like to thank the Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, especially Mr To Manh Tien and Mr Nguyen Duc Lam, for their kind support and assistance with arrangements for the authors to visit and understand more about agroforestry in the province. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable help of Mr Robert Finlayson, Regional Communications Specialist, and Ms Tikah Atikah, Information Unit Leader, at the World Agroforestry Centre’s Southeast Asia Regional Program Office in editing and formatting the paper. 0 - iii - 0 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Evolution of agroforestry practices in Viet Nam and the drivers of change ............. 3 Agroforestry research and development in Viet Nam ............................................. 14 Issues and challenges for agroforestry research and development .......................... 19 Opportunities and research gaps .............................................................................. 23 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 28 References ................................................................................................................ 29 Endnotes ..................................................................................................................... 1 0 - v - 0