For around USD 200 per household, the Forage-Silage-Compost (FSC) model combines forage production, feed conservation and manure composting to address two closely connected needs on upland farms: reliable livestock feed and locally produced organic fertilizer. Developed for mountainous areas of Viet Nam, including Sơn La province, the model responds to constraints on land, water and public funding while seeking greater integration between crop and livestock production.

The FSC approach supports household feed self-sufficiency by producing forage and conserving it as silage, while livestock manure is recycled into compost for crop production. This integration can reduce dependence on external inputs and improve nutrient recycling within farms. It is also relevant to Viet Nam’s target of applying organic fertilizers to 25–30 percent of cultivated land and having organic products account for 30 percent of fertilizer use by 2030. The resource recommends incorporating forage production, manure management and composting into livestock development strategies, particularly in marginalized upland areas.

Published in 2025 in English and Vietnamese, the policy guidance brings together specialists from Viet Nam’s National Institute of Animal Science, CIRAD and the Centre for Development and Environment at the University of Bern. It also calls for public support to address crop and livestock systems more equitably, recognizing their interdependence in resource-constrained mountain farming systems.