Partners – Fresh Studio

Khép kín vòng tuần hoàn: giảm thất thoát nước và phân bón trong nhà kính ở Việt Nam

Posted on Tháng Tư 29, 2026Tháng Mười 19, 2026 by Tran Thuy

Tại Đà Lạt, Việt Nam, một liên danh Hà Lan - Việt Nam do Fresh Studio dẫn đầu đã hoàn thành dự án thí điểm kéo dài 30 tháng nhằm cải thiện quản lý nước trong canh tác rau trong nhà kính. Với sự hỗ trợ của Partners for Water, dự án đã đưa vào áp dụng hệ thống thu gom nước thoát và khử trùng bằng tia UV để giảm thất thoát dinh dưỡng.

Kết quả cho thấy các nhà vườn trồng ớt chuông tham gia dự án tiết kiệm được đến 40% lượng phân bón và giảm 35% lượng nước sử dụng. Ông René van Rensen từ Fresh Studio giải thích cách hệ thống vận hành và những điều kiện cần có để nhân rộng mô hình.

Trên vùng cao nguyên Đà Lạt, nhà kính trải dài khắp các sườn đồi. Bên trong, rau được trồng trên giá thể thay vì đất - phương pháp giúp tăng năng suất và kiểm soát tốt hơn việc cung cấp nước và dinh dưỡng. Tuy nhiên, đằng sau hiệu quả đó là một sự thất thoát ít ai thấy. “Khi trồng trên giá thể, cây trồng cần nhiều nước hơn từ 20 đến 30%,” ông Van Rensen cho biết. “Nếu không có hệ thống thu gom, lượng nước dư này sẽ chảy đi và bị lãng phí.” Ở Hà Lan, lượng nước này thường được tuần hoàn lại trong hệ thống khép kín.

Đối với nhà vườn trồng rau trong nhà kính tại Việt Nam, cải thiện quản lý nước không chỉ vì mục tiêu bền vững mà còn giúp giảm chi phí đầu vào và đảm bảo sản xuất lâu dài. Khi giá phân bón tăng và nguồn nước ngày càng chịu áp lực, những giải pháp thiết thực như tái sử dụng nước thoát ngày càng trở nên cần thiết.

Để giải quyết vấn đề này, liên danh gồm Fresh Studio, Ridder, Royal Brinkman và HollandDoor đã đưa vào áp dụng hệ thống tuần hoàn nước thoát khép kín. Bằng cách thu gom, khử trùng và tái sử dụng nước thoát, nhóm dự án hướng đến cải thiện quản lý nước, đồng thời giảm cả chi phí lẫn tác động đến môi trường.

Biến nước thoát thành nguồn tài nguyên

Trong hệ thống trồng trên giá thể, một phần nước tưới chảy ra khỏi chậu thành nước thoát. Ở Hà Lan, luật pháp bắt buộc phải thu gom và tái sử dụng lượng nước này. Tại Việt Nam, đây chưa phải là cách làm phổ biến. “Nước cứ thế ngấm xuống đất,” ông Van Rensen giải thích. “Toàn bộ dinh dưỡng cũng trôi theo. Cuối cùng, chúng có thể đi vào nước ngầm hoặc nước mặt. Như vậy là vừa lãng phí nước, vừa gây ô nhiễm.” Đồng thời, bản thân nguồn nước hầu như không mất tiền. “Nếu nông dân cần thêm nước, họ chỉ việc khoan sâu hơn,” ông nói. “Mười năm trước, nông dân bơm nước ở độ sâu 30 mét. Giờ họ phải khoan xuống tới 100 mét.”

Động lực thực sự để tái sử dụng nước thoát lại nằm ở chỗ khác: “Phân bón là một trong những khoản chi phí lớn nhất trong sản xuất rau hoa,” ông Van Rensen nhận định. “Trong sản xuất rau nhà kính trên giá thể, phân bón có thể chiếm đến 40% chi phí đầu vào.” Cây trồng không sử dụng hết dinh dưỡng trong dung dịch phân bón. Bằng cách thu gom và tái sử dụng nước thoát giàu dinh dưỡng, nhà vườn có thể giảm đáng kể chi phí này. “Điều đó có nghĩa là họ có thể thu hồi vốn đầu tư trong vòng hai đến ba năm.”

Kết quả rõ ràng thúc đẩy nông dân áp dụng

Ban đầu, các nhà vườn khá dè dặt. Chi phí lắp đặt toàn bộ hệ thống từ 75.000 đến 100.000 đô la Mỹ. “Đó là một khoản đầu tư lớn,” ông Van Rensen thừa nhận. “Nông dân ngần ngại là điều dễ hiểu. Nhưng khi kết quả bắt đầu hiện rõ, mức độ quan tâm tăng lên nhanh hơn.”

Thấy được hiệu quả, cả hai nhà vườn tham gia đều tự bỏ vốn mở rộng diện tích lắp hệ thống thu gom nước thoát. “Trong thời gian dự án, một trang trại đã phủ hệ thống trên toàn bộ diện tích (1 hecta), trang trại còn lại phủ khoảng 50% (1,5 hecta),” ông Van Rensen cho biết. Nhà vườn có ba hecta đang tiếp tục mở rộng hệ thống, đặt mục tiêu phủ kín toàn bộ diện tích vào năm 2027. “Ở Việt Nam, nông dân có thể hoài nghi,” ông Van Rensen nói. “Nhưng khi họ thấy cái gì đó hiệu quả, họ thường bắt tay làm rất nhanh.”

Vượt ra ngoài phạm vi nhà kính

Dự án cũng góp phần vào thảo luận rộng hơn về quản lý nước tại Đà Lạt. Việc nhà kính phát triển nhanh đã góp phần gây ngập lụt cục bộ khi mưa lớn. “Nhà kính đôi khi bị xem là một phần của vấn đề,” ông Van Rensen nói. “Nhưng chúng cũng có thể là một phần của giải pháp.” Theo ông, nếu mỗi nhà kính được yêu cầu thu gom và trữ nước mưa – cách làm đã được áp dụng rộng rãi trong ngành nhà kính Hà Lan – thì vừa có thể giảm đỉnh lũ, vừa giảm khai thác nước ngầm. Liên danh đang chia sẻ những ý tưởng này với Đại sứ quán Hà Lan để tìm hướng đối thoại chính sách. “Thay đổi quy định cần có thời gian,” ông nói. “Nhưng những dự án như thế này cho thấy điều gì là khả thi.”

Xây dựng niềm tin để nhân rộng

Với ông Van Rensen, có một bài học nổi bật. “Để nông dân áp dụng giải pháp, điều rất quan trọng là phải chứng minh được kết quả rõ ràng,” ông nói. “Vì vậy, một điểm trình diễn mà nông dân có thể đến tham quan là rất hữu ích.” Ông nhấn mạnh, điều quan trọng không kém là sự hiện diện tại địa phương. “Một đối tác địa phương vững mạnh và một đội ngũ sát sao thực tế là điều không thể thiếu. Nếu không có người tại chỗ hiểu bối cảnh địa phương và xử lý vấn đề nhanh chóng, việc triển khai sẽ rất khó khăn.”

Dựa trên những kinh nghiệm này, liên danh hiện đặt mục tiêu có thêm từ hai đến năm nhà vườn áp dụng hệ thống trong những năm tới. Bằng cách kết hợp công nghệ nước của Hà Lan với tinh thần kinh doanh của nông dân địa phương, dự án cho thấy cải thiện quản lý nước có thể mang lại lợi ích cả về môi trường lẫn kinh tế. Như ông Van Rensen kết luận: “Nếu kết quả rõ ràng và hệ thống chứng minh được độ tin cậy, nông dân sẽ tự quyết định.”

Hoạt động này thuộc dự án “Cải thiện nguồn nước sẵn có và an toàn thông qua tối ưu hóa tưới tiêu và bón phân cho nhà vườn trồng thủy canh tại Việt Nam”, được triển khai trong khuôn khổ chương trình Partners for Water.

Đối tác thực hiện dự án:

Ridder Group
Royal Brinkman
HollandDoor
Fresh Studio

Để biết thêm thông tin về dự án, vui lòng liên hệ:

Mr. René van Rensen
Giám đốc điều hành - Kiêm giám đốc nghiên cứu và phát triển cây trồng
Email: info@freshstudio.vn

Chương trình Partners for Water do Cơ quan Doanh nghiệp Hà Lan (RVO) thực hiện thay mặt cho các Bộ của Hà Lan: Bộ Cơ sở hạ tầng và Quản lý nước; Bộ Ngoại giao; Bộ Kinh tế và Chính sách Khí hậu; và Bộ Nông nghiệp, Tự nhiên và Chất lượng Thực phẩm.

Xem thêm thông tin tại: www.partnersvoorwater.nl

Transition towards a more safe, sustainable and professional horticulture sector in Viet Nam

Posted on Tháng Mười Một 6, 2025Tháng Mười Một 7, 2025 by Trung Thai

Transition towards a more safe, sustainable and professional horticulture sector in Viet Nam

During the last decade greenhouse vegetable production has seen an enormous development in Vietnam. Farmers have invested in more modern greenhouse infrastructure and embraced improved growing technologies, greatly increasing productivity, product quality and profitability per production area. Although Vietnamese vegetable farmers have adopted more advance greenhouse production methods, the control of diseases and pests is still done through frequent and intensive application of chemical crop protection products.

The continuous shift towards more advanced greenhouse production methods and increasingly stricter market requirements in terms of food safety has created a momentum amongst Vietnamese farmers to start focussing on more sustainable product methods in which much less chemical crop protection products are applied. In practice this means that farmers are now more open to test and try technologies which can prevent pests and diseases to develop or to control pest and diseases in a biological way. Growing crops in this way means that farmers apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

The goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to minimize this harm and control acceptable infestation levels rather than eradicate all undesired populations. This is why it is important to understand which control measures are justified in each case and use aggressive control measures only when other integrated management techniques don’t work. On a larger scope, integrated pest management advantages include the promotion of environmental protection and sustainable agriculture in the long run.

Despite IPM demanding individual solutions in each case, the concept of an integrated pest management program typically covers the following aspects:

Problem assessment is the way to start an IPM program by deciding if the disease or pest presence is dangerous for a crop. A correct understanding of the infestation scope determines how a potential disease or pest should be prevented or controlled.
Preventive measures intend to reduce infestations by applying different agronomic techniques. Prevention in integrated pest management may include crop rotation, planting disease or pest resistant varieties, the use of certified seeds and planting material but also the application of hygiene protocols and more efficient irrigations practices.
Disease and pest monitoring are the next components of an IPM program because a decision is made to take a corrective action or not and how, based on the disease and pest level in a crop and other factors influencing pest or disease development.
Decision making if an action is needed or not is based on the results of the disease and pest monitoring data. For the decision to be made the guiding principle is the planned IPM strategy of preventative and non-chemical methods
Non-chemical methods means the application other technologies than traditional chemical crop protection products, e.g.
- Application of natural enemies
- Physical e.g. sticky traps / ground cover
- Pheromones
Chemical correction, if there is no suitable or feasible non-chemical method to keep a pest or disease under control, a chemical crop protection product is applied, considering legislation, how and where to apply and choosing the least harmful option.

Transition to IPM in Vietnam

Sustainable and climate smart agriculture development remains high in the priority list of the Netherlands in Viet Nam, in line with the Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA) in sustainable agriculture and food Security of the Netherlands and Viet Nam. Focus of the government of the Netherlands in Viet Nam is the food system approach with the link towards sustainability, transparency and responsibility. IPM aligns very well with the food systems approach.

Successful implementation of IPM requires a holistic approach, starting from the propagation stages of plant material (seedlings) till the harvested produce leaves the farm. During these stages a wide variety of know-how and technologies needs to be applied to prevent the development of pests and diseases and minimize the application of chemical crop protection products as a corrective measure. In the case a correction action needs to be taken with chemical crop protection products, it is paramount this is done in the most efficient and safe way, including for the person applying the crop protection product. This is certainly a topic to which Dutch know-how and technologies can ensure that the application of crop protection products is done in the most efficient and safest way.

Adoption of IPM by Vietnamese farmers – IPM Lam Dong project

Vietnamese farmers are open to use more safe and sustainable production methods, and farmers have started to apply IPM strategies at their farms. For example, choosing disease resistant varieties, using sticky traps to monitor and catch pests and applying natural enemies to prevent or control pests. But more is needed for IPM to become the mainstream production method in Vietnam, such as training and knowledge development in IPM strategies, access to new technologies supporting IPM and demonstrating IPM technologies in the field. To address these points the project: “IPM and improved crop protection application methods for a sustainable food system in Viet Nam”, in short “IPM Lam Dong”, funded by the Dutch Government, was officially launched in October in Da Lat city during an IPM conference.

The main project objective of the IPM Lam Dong project is that IPM becomes the common practice of Vietnamese farmers to prevent and control pests and diseases with minimal use of chemical crop protection products, creating a safe and sustainable horticulture supply chain in Vietnam.

The project partners: Fresh Studio, Koppert, Trường Đại học Đà Lạt in close collaboration with PPD Lam Dong, will establish 3 IPM demonstration locations, and establish a training and IPM extension system to demonstrate to farmers IPM technologies, increase the knowledge level related to IPM strategies and provide technical support to farmers to apply IPM strategies at their farm. The project will run till end of 2026.

IPM Conference

To increase awareness about IPM and to officially launch the project the conference “IPM: Application of Biological Control Agents and official launch IPM project Lam Dong”, was organised in Da Lat, Lam Dong province on 8 October 2025. During the conference key stakeholders, such as Mr. Nguyen Quang Hieu – Deputy Director of the Department of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Ms. Ingrid Korving – Agricultural Counsellor, Embassy of the Netherlands, Mr. Rene van Rensen – R&D Director Crops, Fresh Studio and Mr. Rob Rippens, Business Manager Asia Pacific, Koppert and local representatives from the horticulture sector actively joined to present, discuss and learn from each other, about IPM and how to stimulate the adaptation of IPM strategies. The presence of over 200 participants and Dutch horticulture technology suppliers: Koppert, Rijk Zwaan, Enza Zaden, Bejo, BVB-Substrates, Royal Brinkman, Priva and Ridder is a clear indication that farmers and other stakeholders are very interested to learn more about IPM strategies and how to apply these strategies in practice n Vietnam.

As part the conference activities a field visit to one of the IPM demonstration locations was organised to see biological control agents of Koppert in action in a sweet pepper crop. Participants could observe that biological control agents, such as predatory wasps, bugs and mites imported from the Netherlands established and developed well in the sweet pepper crop, keeping pest insects such as spider mites, thrips, white flies and aphids under control.

In the coming period the IPM project Lam Dong will continue to its project activities to train farmers and demonstrate IPM technologies.

Visit of workshop delegation to IPM demonstration greenhouse

Thúc đẩy canh tác hành tím bền vững ở Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long

Posted on Tháng Năm 31, 2024Tháng Năm 31, 2024 by Ngô Khoa

The Mekong Delta River is renowned for its shallot production in Vietnam. However, traditional farming methods have posed significant challenges to the environment and farmers’ livelihoods. The impact cluster: “Transition towards sustainable shallot value chains in the Mekong Delta” is aiming to build the sustainable shallot value chain in this area.

Farmers are open to more sustainable farming practices

As mentioned in the news report of VTV4, initially met with skepticism, innovative and sustainable shallot farming practices are gradually accepted by farmers. By encouraging farmers to try the drip irrigation, integrated pest management (IPM) and the new shallot variety named Maserati F1, farmers are convinced with the immidiate results: reduced water consumption, lower input costs, and improved crop yields.

Mr. Sang’s success story is not an isolated incident. Many farmers, hesitant at first, are now witnessing the positive outcomes of the new shallot variety and modern farming techniques. The project’s emphasis on farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing has proven to be a powerful tool in overcoming initial resistance and fostering a sense of community among the farmers.

A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

By transforming shallot farming practices, the project is contributing to a brighter future for farmers, the environment, and consumers. The collaboration between Fresh Studio, Can Tho University, Dutch agricultural experts, and local cooperatives exemplifies the power of collective action in driving positive change. By combining scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and community engagement, it demonstrates a holistic approach to addressing the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The impact cluster: “Transition towards sustainable shallot value chains in the Mekong Delta” is funded by The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and consists of the following project partners:

Bejo Zaden
Groot & Slot
Royal Brinkman
BvB Substrates
Eurofins
Đại học Cần Thơ
Fresh Studio

Strategic Partnership of the Horticulture Innovations Center at Vietnam National Agriculture University

Posted on Tháng Chín 22, 2022Tháng Mười Một 1, 2022 by Ngô Khoa

On 22 September 2022 a strategic partnership workshop in relation to the activities at the Horticulture Innovation Center (HIC) established at Vietnam National Agricultural University took place. The HIC was established as part of the Nuffic OKP project: Enhancing performance of the horticultural sector in North/central Vietnam: educational, cooperative and value chain development.

During the strategic workshop the current activities at the HIC were showcased and future activities and opportunities for collaboration were discussed amongst the participants.

As a project partner Mr. René van Rensen of Fresh Studio was pleased to present its vision on the challenges related to horticulture production in Vietnam and the importance of applied research & development to overcome these challenges.

Mr. René van Rensen of Fresh Studio speaking at the workshop

The project partners of the Nuffic OKP project: Enhancing performance of the horticultural sector in North/central Vietnam: educational, cooperative and value chain development are:

Vietnam National University of Agriculture
Wageningen University
HAS – University of applied sciences
Lentiz – Course & Consult
Agriterra
Fresh Studio Innovations Asia

Limgroup and Fresh Studio join forces in Vietnam

Posted on Tháng Sáu 11, 2020Tháng Một 23, 2025 by namlh

When you think of Vietnam you will probably not directly think of asparagus production, but asparagus production in Vietnam is on the raise. Increasing demand from local consumers and good prices, results in an increasing asparagus production area with currently several thousand hectares. In Vietnam the focus is on green asparagus, which is mainly used in stir fried dishes.

Although the market is growing, access to the best suitable asparagus varieties and knowledge how to get the best results is for most asparagus farmers still a challenge. This is something Limgroup and Fresh Studio realised and have seen as an opportunity to join forces. The business activities of Limgroup and Fresh Studio complement each other greatly and together they are very well positioned to support the Vietnamese asparagus farmers with asparagus production, while in the meantime also developing their own business.

Limgroup is an internationally active breeding company based in the Dutch town Horst. The company specialises in the crops asparagus and strawberries. Especially in the field of asparagus, Limgroup is a leading global player offering varieties for all climate zones and applications.

Fresh Studio is an international company with a strong focus on Vietnam and Myanmar providing consultancy services and technologies within the agricultural sector. We are dedicated to make a positive impact on sustainable food production, farmers lives and consumers enjoyment of food.

For more information contact:

John Schoeber

Marketing en Sales Director – Limgroup

jschoeber@limgroup.eu

Ông René van Rensen

R&D Director Crops – Fresh Studio

rene.van.rensen@freshstudio.vn

Queen Máxima meets Vietnamese vegetable farmers to discuss access to financial services

Posted on Tháng Năm 30, 2017Tháng Hai 16, 2024 by Ngô Khoa

On Tuesday, 30th of May 2017, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, in her capacity of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate on Inclusive Finance for Development, made a field visit to the Horti Dalat project in Vietnam.

Queen Máxima visits Vietnam from Tuesday 30 May through Thursday 1 June. The country is developing a national strategy for inclusive finance to promote adequate, affordable and sustainable access to financial services. The strategy’s aim is to improve the economic position of the Vietnamese people and foster development. In Vietnam only 1/3 of the adult population has access to formal financial services. From people living in rural area’s 75% lack access. One of the themes of the visit is value chain finance in agriculture. After the field visit in Da Lat, Queen Máxima will return to Ho Chi Minh city for a meeting with representatives of agricultural businesses and civil society organisations about the financing of agricultural activities.

Within the framework of the Horti Dalat project new modern vegetable production technologies were introduced to local farmers. Through the development and introduction of a new type of financial product, interested farmers were able to apply for a loan to invest in these technologies. Through intensive coaching of the first pilot farmers by the consulting and R&D company named Fresh Studio, farmers have been successfully adopting these new technologies by increasing their production and income significantly.

The first six pilot vegetable farmers used the loan to invest in protected cultivation (greenhouses) and fertigation systems. These commercial loans are a new type of non-secured loan, which is disbursed to carefully selected experienced vegetables farmers, with a convincing business case and cash flow plan. This innovative financial product for the Dalat area was developed with support of the Rabobank Foundation and disbursed to the farmers through Sacombank. Fresh Studio provides the technical support to the farmers and monitors their financial performance to limit risks and to ensure farmers are successful with their investment.

During the field visit Queen Máxima discussed with the project farmers, Rabobank Foundation, Sacombank, the supermarket chain Mega Market and Fresh Studio about their experiences with access to finance in the Horti Dalat project.

René van Rensen, R&D Director Crops of Fresh Studio is delighted with the Queens’ visit: “Together with our project partners we are able to show the positive impact on farmer’s lives and sustainable farming through inclusive agribusiness and access to finance to invest. We are pleased to directly share our experiences and insights from this project with Queen Máxima. We hope this will be a valuable input for her further meetings in Vietnam to advocate inclusive finance services for farmers.”

In a personal talk with Queen Maxima, pilot farmer Mr. Toan explained how this new financial product allowed him to get a loan, without having to mortgage his land. As a result of this investment, he has been able to increase his income 3 to 4 times, and will be able earn his investment back within 3 years.

With the positive results of the Horti Dalat project, Rabobank Foundation and Sacombank agreed to expand their horticulture financing model to more Vietnamese farmers. Fresh Studio will assist Sacombank in the process of farmer selection, business planning, farm monitoring and training of the farmers in using the new technologies. To further upscale inclusive financial services for farmers to invest in modern horticulture production, Rabobank Foundation, Sacombank and Fresh Studio are exploring additional partnerships for cooperation with other parties and are optimistic that the visit of Queen Máxima will contribute to this.

The Horti Dalat project background

Modern vegetable production can provide a solution to meet the fast growing demand for year round available high quality, safe and sustainable produced vegetables. The region around Dalat City (Lam Dong Province) with its unique climate is the most important horticulture area of Vietnam, supplying the fast growing cities with fresh produce. Although quite some developments in horticulture production took place, especially in flower production, the vegetable production sector is still characterized by smallholders with little knowledge of modern vegetable production technologies, or the means to invest in these technologies.

A consortium under the lead of Fresh Studio joined forces with the aim to accelerate the development of a professional horticulture sector by:

Introducing and showcasing modern horticulture production technologies in order to obtain higher yield, better quality and a more sustainable production system.
Establishing a platform to facilitate practical training for students and persons working within the horticulture sector
Establishing a financial product to support investments in modern horticulture production by local farmers

The Horti Dalat project partners are: Wageningen University, Rabobank Foundation, Sacombank, BVB Substrates, CMF, Da Lat University, HAS Hogeschool Den Bosch, Koppert Biological Systems, Rijk Zwaan, Ludvig Svensson, YARA, Priva and Fresh Studio. The project is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fresh Studio background

Fresh Studio is the leading agriculture consultancy and R&D firm of Vietnam and Myanmar. Our mission is to make our clients successful in the sustainable production and marketing of food. Since 2006, we have worked passionately to achieve this mission and assist our clients to improve all practices from farm to fork. With a professional international and multi-disciplinary team of 80 staff, five offices, one food lab, two R&D farms, we are playing an important role in professionalising the agriculture sector in the region.

For more information about Fresh Studio contact:

Ông René van Rensen
R&D Director Crops – Fresh Studio®

5B, Lane 111, Xuan Dieu Street, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District,
Hanoi, Vietnam

Phone: +84 (0)4 3759 1380
E-mail: rene.van.rensen@freshstudio.vn
www.freshstudio.vn

UNSGSA Office: www.unsgsa.org

Dutch Horticulture Open House event: completion TF Horti Dalat project

Posted on Tháng Ba 27, 2017Tháng Mười Một 7, 2022 by Ngô Khoa

The Transition Facility (TF) project “Accelerating the development of modern greenhouse vegetable production in Vietnam”, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs started in 2014 in Lam Dong province. This project is coming to a close. To highlight the innovations introduced and celebrate the achievements a Dutch Horticulture Open House was organized at the R&D farm of Fresh Studio in Dalat.

The first ever Dutch Horticulture Open House was a huge success with over 300 attending farmers. Greenhouse technologies used within the project were exposed and demonstrated to farmers and project partners during the event. The Open House provided ample opportunities for networking and discussions. Also, the six pilot farmers, whom invested in imported greenhouses, were put into the spotlight.

The following results clearly show that this project contributed to the accelerated development of modern greenhouse production in Vietnam and has created a foundation to further introduce Dutch greenhouse technologies in Vietnam:

> 720 farmers trained in modern greenhouse production
6 Modern greenhouse established with 6 pilot farmers
4 vegetable brands created
3 Training manuals developed
Successful commercial introduction of various new inputs
Next disbursement of loans of 300,000 EUR to invest in modern greenhouse production in preparation

These results would not have been achieved without the contribution and support of all the project partners. We are grateful for this cooperation and look forward to see you all during the next Horticulture Open House at our R&D farm in 2018.

Photo impression of Dutch Horticulture Open House

This development is a result of the collaboration with project:

Accelerating a modern greenhouse vegetable production sector

Modern greenhouse vegetable production can provide an innovative solution to meet the fast growing demand for high quality, safe and sustainable produced vegetables, which are year round available …

Dutch potato to help lift up Vietnamese agriculture

Posted on Tháng Ba 1, 2017Tháng Mười Một 7, 2022 by Ngô Khoa

The Dutch Vice-Minister of Agriculture and local authorities of Bac Ninh province visited an event in the field of the project “Growing out of poverty with potato” in Tien Du district, Bac Ninh on the occasion of potato harvest and delivery of training certificates to participating farmers.

“Growing out of poverty with potato” is 5 year PPP (Public Private Partnership) project (2014-2019) between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Fresh Studio (local project management), Agrico, PepsiCo Vietnam and Dutch Wageningen University. With the objective of setting an example of a sustainable value chain for high quality potato in Vietnam, the project has been implemented for two years and has acquired promising achievements. The event is the result of commercial production trials for two Dutch potato varieties, Markies & Rosagold, before putting in mass production.

Potatoes provide an interesting opportunity to improve food security, support pro-poor development and boost a healthy, diverse diet in Vietnam. Despite being richer in fibre, vitamins, and minerals than rice or wheat, with the production requiring less water and land, production and consumption of potatoes in Vietnam are still very modest. Potato has also been proved a profitable addition to the current crops planted by small-scale farmers in Vietnam.

Siebe van Wijk, Managing Director of Fresh Studio stated during his presentation: “The 5-year project stimulates supply, fosters demand, develops the value chain and initiates a structural policy dialogue to support a sustainable potato sector in Vietnam. The project is successful when the Vietnamese potato sector can compete with imports and supplies of both the domestic table potato market and the potato processing industry with a consistent volume of high quality potatoes”.

On the supply side, the project focuses on testing high-yielding varieties, training farmers and production advisors. After two years the project obtained among others the following achievements:

2 high quality potato varieties were selected to be introduced in Vietnamese market.
Purchase, test and introduction of tractors, planting and harvesting machines.
27 production advisers and 1690 farmers (70% female) were trained in potato production.
Farmers and traders were connected during a series of field activities, after which more than 648 supply contracts were signed.
Nearly 1000,000 consumers in the urban areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city were reached during awareness campaigns (online and offline) on nutritional values of potatoes and preparation modes.
To understand the demand, preferences and behaviour of consumers, 1000 consumers participated in consumer research.
The Potato Policy Discussion Platform has been formed and active with regular meetings and policy workshops.

Speaking at the event, Marjolijn Sonnema, Dutch Vice Minister of Agriculture stated:“As one of the world’s biggest agricultural manufacturers, the Netherlands hopes that our expertise will help Vietnam in enhancing food security, promoting sustainable agricultural production, increasing farmers’ incomes, and improving their livelihoods”.

With a smart approach and dedicated implementing partners, it is positive that the project will be able to build a robust system for potato sector which can sustain and flourish even after the project finishes. And the day when Vietnamese potato can compete with imports, supplying effectively for the domestic market will be in vision.

Kick-off broiler training and opening Poultry Training Centre in Myanmar

Posted on Tháng Hai 16, 2017Tháng Mười Một 7, 2022 by Ngô Khoa

Monday 6th of February was a milestone for the SAPA project. The first broiler training took place for 10 selected veterinarians. At the same time the first Poultry Training Center in Mandalay opened as part of the training.

One of the main components of the SAPA Project is the capacity building of farmers, both broiler farmers as corn farmers. Last Monday 6th of February two milestones of the SAPA project took place: firstly, the kick-off of the first broiler training for 10 selected veterinarians in Mandalay and secondly, this training took place at the first Poultry Training Centre (PTC) of Myanmar.

The PTC is built on the farm of broiler farmer U Win Hlaing, who was selected and eager to participate in SAPA to upgrade his existing farm into a PTC. This PTC will be used throughout the whole SAPA project to train veterinarians, broiler farmers and workers until 2020 on various topics related to broiler farming. The reason why this PTC is so special is because this is the first training centre on a broiler farm, where trainees receive theory and are immediately able to observe, reflect and apply the acquired knowledge into practice. In the coming months two more PTCs are opened: in NPT and Yangon.

Esther Wintraecke of Fresh Studio Myanmar.

The first broiler farmer training is a 10 day training for 10 selected veterinarians, who have the responsibility to train 750 broiler farmers and workers throughout the whole of Myanmar. The topics of this first training were: farm management and bio-security. In the coming year two additional training modules take place so that at the end of the training courses the veterinarians are certified SAPA-trainers. The topics addressed are: health, nutrition, housing, entrepreneurship and the broiler production standard.

As the opening of the PTC and the kick-off of the first broiler training are a very important milestone in the SAPA project, a special opening ceremony was organised with members of the Mandalay Livestock Federation and the deputy general of the LBVD (Livestock, Breeding and Veterinary Department) and the director of De Heus Myanmar and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

De Heus and Fresh Studio open Aquaculture R&D farm in Vietnam in Spring 2017

Posted on Tháng Hai 14, 2017Tháng Mười Một 7, 2022 by Ngô Khoa

Dutch feed giant Royal De Heus Animal Nutrition is to strengthen its position in Vietnam’s aquaculture sector in 2017, with the opening of a new research facility in partnership with R&D and consultancy firm Fresh Studio.

The center – due to officially open in spring 2017 – will initially focus on developing knowledge of pangasius, tilapia, snakehead and shrimp feeds. The aim is to improve the feeding performance of these species, to maximize animal growth and limit wastage of resources, Fresh Studio’s managing director Siebe van Wijk told Undercurrent News.

“We hope our work can improve efficiency, quality, and stability; that’s how we can start developing the whole supply chain, into a value chain.“
Mr. Siebe van Wijk – Director Fresh Studio

Fresh Studio began its work in the horticulture sector in Vietnam, where one of the largest supermarket chains in the world contracted it to develop direct farmer sourcing systems, he said. To ensure farmers complied with the quality standards of Fresh Studio’s client, Fresh Studio developed an extension service and an R&D and demonstration farm. “Within a period of ten years the combination of applied research, extension and cooperation with a large number of technology companies, resulted in the successful introduction of value-adding innovations to thousands of farmers.“

Based on this success, Fresh Studio’s client retailer contracted it to develop the same sourcing system for aquaculture. While developing this sourcing system, Fresh Studio too saw the need for the same applied R&D approach in the aquaculture sector, said van Wijk. De Heus, which had just made its first investment in the fish feed sector, saw the same need, and the first partnership stages were formed.

De Heus first became active in Vietnam in 2008, and completed a new factory there in April 2016. Now, two years after the partnership formed, their six hectare facility in Vinh Long Province, Mekong Delta, has an operating, indoor recirculation aquaculture system. Work on the outdoor area is being completed currently.

*From Fresh Studio’s presentation at the Aquaculture Innovation Challenge event*

The R&D farm was funded through a public private partnership between De Heus, Fresh Studio and an R&D grant from the Dutch government. Links with science were made by involving Can Tho University and Wageningen University. For De Heus, this R&D facility should develop into a key innovation center for its aquaculture feed programs in other Southeast Asian nations, as well as important other fish feed markets, such as China, and Egypt. After one year of research on pangasius and tilapia, the facility is now moving into snakehead and shrimp, said van Wijk, and will branch out into feeding technology and “pure research” on feed, to “provide concrete solutions to farmers on improved feed management”.

The site, as seen from Google Maps

Presenting the initiative at the “Aquaculture Innovation Challenge” in Ho Chi Minh – organized by the Seafood Trade Intelligence Portal, Solidaridad, and Fresh Studio early in December – van Wijk noted that pangasius selling prices at retail were trending downwards, while production costs have risen over the past 16 years. Hence the need for research into feed; feed costs make up over 90% of pangasius farming, and 85% of the cost of producing tilapia too.

Aside from this, poor seed quality and disease outbreaks can also eat into profits for farmers, he noted. When it comes to FRCs, a slight improvement could mean a big difference to margins. Currently salmon’s average feed conversion ratio (FCR) is around 1.1, while pangasius is 1.5 and tilapia 2.6, according to data he presented.

“There’s certainly room for improvement to get a bit nearer that 1.1 mark for pangasius, and that would mean real savings.”

For instance, working on the basis of a pangasius maket price of VND 21,000 per kilogram, an FCR improvement from 1.5 to 1.2 could mean savings of 20%, or VND 4,050/kg, he said. In turn this could lead to an upward spiral of better products and higher yields, improving demand, and ultimately earning higher prices, Fresh Studio hopes.

From Fresh Studio’s presentation at the Aquaculture Innovation Challenge event

“We expect indirect savings also. From the farm side, because less feed will be used per pond, less organic matters will be released into the ponds which should limit both the pumping costs to exchange water, and treatment costs to cure diseases.”

From a market perspective, these improvements should be perceived positively, and may play a part in driving higher market prices in the long-term, it is hoped. By the time the official opening comes around, De Heus and Fresh Studio will announce collaborations with other key players in the aquaculture sector, who want their technologies and production systems tested and further improved, he said.

Source: www.undercurrentnews.com

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