The project objectives were to increase the local income, develop Hoa Tien commune as a rice seed production hub, improve the marketing and trading capacity and build a brand name for the local high quality rice seed production.
After almost three years implementation, the project has been a great success.

Improving the local rice seed production capacity

Twelve new rice varieties were tested and most suitable ones were identified. The selected varieties were considered to be most adaptive to the conditions of Hoa Tien commune and has large potential markets as  they are being widely cultivated.

More than 200 households have been trained in seed production, irrigation, fertilization, integrated pest management, and impurity elimination and monitoring. 118 households were engaged in demonstration of new techniques in rice fertilization, plant protection, and water-saving technology, which has led to the average yield increase of 10-15%.  

Establishment of system for quality control and certification

A rice seed testing laboratory was established and particularly two warehouses which are of great importance for building a brand name in high quality rice seed production in Da nang were constructed.

The effective use and maintenance of the equipment and facilities provided by the project, including seed dryers, grain cleaners, moisture testers,  helped improving the seed quality as well as enhancing the competitiveness of Hoa Tien rice seed. The construction of the two warehouse completed after three months, with very high quality, showed the effective and efficient collaboration among the project implementing agencies. The warehouses will be important tools for the cooperatives to improve seed quality and, in particular, preserve the products during the on-going and future flooding and rainy seasons. As such, the resilience of the local rice producing communities, largely comprising the elderly and women, will be much approved in the context of climate change.

Capacity building for Trade and Marketing which ensures the project sustainability by maximizing farmers’ profits

Training on Seed Regulations, Trade and Marketing Strategy and Intellectual Property in Seed Trade for DARD’s staff, Fisheries – Agriculture - Forestry Extension Center and Cooperative Management Boards was organized. Client meetings were held between seed companies and the cooperative members to facilitate the seed marketing.

Sustainable approaches for enhancing trade and marketing capacity for the cooperatives have been identified and marketing and branding strategy for Hoa Tien rice seeds was prepared. The project experiences were not only shared with other parts of the country, but also with Thai farmers and policy makers in August 2014.

The IBSA fund has taken every efforts to strengthen their friendship and cooperation with the Government of Viet Nam and also the project has been implemented in compliance with the key criteria of South-South Cooperation: national ownership and solidarity. It is hoped that the achievements gained from the successful partnership with  Da Nang city and lessons learnt and experiences will be replicated in other  areas in Viet Nam.
The great achievements of the project as a good example of successful South-South cooperation in Viet Nam will open the door to other collaboration opportunities of future projects and programs with the support from the UN-IBSA fund, among which, a new project has been formulated with Medical University in Hai Phong Province with technical assistance from WHO.