New Zealand scientists from Plant and Food Research are collaborating with over 70 farmers in rural Vietnam to enhance passionfruit production through the VietFruit project. This initiative, part of the Viet Nam Climate-Smart Fruit Value Chain project, has been underway for more than two years, focusing on improving production and post-harvest practices in the Sơn La province and Gia Lai in Vietnam.
The agricultural sector, comprising about 11% of Vietnam's GDP, is a key component of the country's economy. Passionfruit, or chanh dây, is a notable horticultural crop, with around 12,000 hectares cultivated last year. The crop's export volume is expected to grow, following Vietnam's new market access to Australia, ongoing negotiations with the United States, and recent access to China.
The VietFruit project is a partnership between Plant and Food Research, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other local institutions. The project aims to increase exports and support the agriculture sector in developing climate resilience and a more skilled workforce. A $6.2 million allocation from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports these goals.
Dr. Karmun Chooi, a senior scientist from Plant and Food Research, emphasized the project's focus on understanding passionfruit cultivation and its value chain. The team plans to conduct farm trials with groups of Vietnamese farmers, focusing on ethnic minority and female-led farmer collectives. These trials will explore management techniques such as hygiene standards, strategic pruning, and agrichemical application.
Stephanie Montgomery, another project co-lead, highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, such as unpredictable weather patterns affecting passionfruit production. The project seeks to buffer farmers against these changes through measures like cover cropping and water storage enhancements.
Montgomery noted the importance of balancing environmental impact with food production, addressing issues like erosion and nutrient management. The project aims to fill knowledge gaps and optimize passionfruit production, despite competition from other high-value crops.
The team will continue to work with local farmers, sharing insights and developing new practices. Upcoming milestones include trialing new passionfruit washer prototypes and advancing work on the ASEAN climate-smart working group.
Source: Farmers Weekly