VIETNAM – Empowering rural youth to lead agricultural innovation

In the context of an aging farming population, encouraging the participation of rural youth has become increasingly important. Through the APFP-FO4A program in Vietnam, special focus is placed on supporting initiatives led by the younger generation of farmers, recognizing their potential to drive innovation and sustainability in agriculture.

One inspiring example is Luong Van Tuyen, a young farmer who dares to think differently and take action.

Tuyen serves as the director of the Viet Herbal Cooperative in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam. Formerly known as the VietGAP Orange Cooperative, the organization faced serious challenges when soil degradation worsened, and diseases spread rapidly across orange orchards.

Recognizing the need for change, Tuyen and the cooperative members made a bold decision to shift their crop structure from oranges to medicinal plants. This transition not only helped restore soil fertility but also reduced the sources of pests and diseases affecting the orchards.

According to Tuyen, the strength of the cooperative lies in the balance between experience and youth.

“For our cooperative, we consider ourselves very fortunate that around 30% of our members are over 50 years old, while about 40% are between 40 and 50. Thanks to this, we can apply the valuable agricultural experience of our senior members while also benefiting from the enthusiasm and dynamism of our younger members.”

Soon, the sloping lands of the Viet Herbal Cooperative in Ham Yen commune were transformed into thriving fields of diverse medicinal crops.

To further increase the value of their herbal production chain, Tuyen proposed another innovative initiative: developing an organic herbal processing model with higher economic value. This initiative was highly appreciated by the APFP-FO4A program for its sustainability and forward-looking approach.

In 2024, the Viet Herbal Cooperative received USD 14,894 in funding from APFP-FO4A, through the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VNFU), to promote the expansion of its tea production.

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.

With this support, the cooperative received a 5-in-1 tea packaging machine, significantly improving their product packaging and quality. Each tea bag now serves as protective packaging that helps preserve product freshness and consistency.

Previously, herbal tea production was done manually. Today, the cooperative processes and packages products using a modern production line, helping to reduce labor costs, minimize losses and waste, and improve overall product quality and convenience.

The APFP-FO4A program also provided training on developing sustainable herbal value chains, as well as capacity building on website management and e-commerce. These trainings help cooperative members standardize production processes and expand their market reach.