22. Promotion of Organic Cocoa in Mixed Farming System in the Mekong Delta Region: A Preliminary Analysis

Over the past decades, the Mekong River Delta has become a strategic region for the socio-economic development of Vietnam. While the region is currently producing the majority of the exported products (mainly rice) of the country, the sustainability of its conventional production system is challenged. It is known that organic agricultural systems are more sustainable compared to conventional, chemical-based agricultural systems. Farmers growing crops organically not only can improve their soil fertility and structure with the result of stable yields and better product quality, but also sell their products at market prices plus premium. Organic agriculture also yields lower levels of green house gas emissions than conventional agriculture. To enhance sustainability and fight poverty, Helvetas, the Swiss Association for International Cooperation, in collaboration with residents of selected provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre and with Nong Lam University (NLU) in Ho Chi Minh City, has initiated an organic and fair trade cocoa program for a 5-year period. In that period of time, a total of 2,000 selected cocoa cum coconut farmers (men and women) in the two provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre are expected to produce certified organic and fair trade cocoa for the international market. For those purposes, the program is aimed to support all key aspects of the cocoa value chain: the development of appropriate techniques, the provision of training for farmers and fermenters, the guidance for qualifying and obtaining key certifications, and the linking of the farmers’ organizations to the market. In 2009, the first 22 pilot farms were converted to organic agriculture by adopting measures such as composting and the biocontrol of pests and diseases. The report of these first positive experiences has been used to convince other farmers to convert to organic cocoa. As a result, there are now 154 farmers in this area registered to grow cocoa organically.