Resilient, sustainable, and inclusive rice and cocoa value chains in Vietnam

Rice and cocoa sectors in Vietnam are more sustainable, inclusive and resilient contributing to a living income for producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, including women and youth, while increasing availability of sustainable food products on the market. The objective of this programme is that the rice and cocoa sectors in Vietnam are more sustainable, inclusive and resilient contributing to a living income for producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, including women and youth, while increasing availability of sustainable food products on the market. The programme addresses critical challenges in the rice and cocoa value chains, including unsustainable agricultural practices that negatively impact on the environment and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and lack of access to markets, decent work, and enterprise opportunities including for women and youth. Through this programme, Rikolto will support the development of emerging value chains for high-quality cocoa through research and international experiences as well as facilitating MSH policy dialogue, and the expansion of new value chains for sustainable rice using the new Sustainable Rice Platform standard, which Rikolto has been piloting with smallholders in the MRD. Rikolto seeks to empower smallholder farmers and their Farmer Organisations to become solid business partners and implement sustainable practices. We support them so that their products meet quality standards and connect them with innovative businesses in the rice value chains to explore new ways of doing business together that deliver better shared value. We also develop capacity and link women and youth to business development services that enable them to access decent work and enterprise opportunities in the value chains. Finally, Rikolto seeks to contribute to the development of an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive rice and cocoa sector development. We do this by supporting the development of inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives at local and national levels that promote exchange and learning and facilitate the development of common agendas, partnerships, and evidence-based policy advocacy with local and national governments.