Sustainable Cocoa Enterprise Solutions for Smallholders (SUCCESS) Alliance Vietnam - Central Highlands
Project Dates:
Phase I - October 2006-September 2008
Phase II – October 2008-September 2010
Country: Vietnam
Alliance: US Agency for International Development, US Department of Agriculture, the World Cocoa Foundation, Mars Inc., ACDI/VOCA and various local government and research organizations
Implementer: ACDI/VOCA
Overview:
The SUCCESS Alliance Central Highlands aims to improve the economic wellbeing of ethnic minority smallholder farmers in the Dak Lak and Lam Dong Provinces of the Vietnamese Central Highlands through the development of a sustainable cocoa industry. The program introduces the core activities of SUCCESS Alliance Vietnam (2003-2007), which was active in Ben Tre, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, and Binh Phuoc Provinces, to Dak Lak and Lam Dong Provinces. In Phase I, the project was active in Dak Lak Province in 7 communes in Ea’ Kar District and 4 communes in Lak District. In Phase II, the project expanded into one additional district in Dak Lak (Ea H’Leo) and to Lam Dong Province including the districts of Da Teh, Cat Tien, and Da Huoai.
Program Objectives – Phase I (Dak Lak Only):
- To train 1,500 to 1,800 farmers through the Farmer Field School approach
- To provide farmers with a total of 300,000 to 360,000 cocoa seedlings and seedlings of other crops suitable for intercropping
- To provide training in post-harvest practices such as fermentation
- To develop a market information system for the project area
Program Objectives – Phase II (Dak Lak and Lam Dong):
- To train 3,250 additional farmers through the Farmer Field School approach while continuing to work with the 1,830 farmers trained under Phase I.
- To provide farmers with approximately 550,000 to 600,000 cocoa seedlings and seedlings of other crops suitable for intercropping
- To establish a cocoa quality laboratory to serve the Central Highlands region
- To provide training in post-harvest practices such as fermentation
- To develop a market information system for the project area
Progress to Date (Phases I & II):
- 6,478 farmers trained by 87 facilitators. Farmers were organized into cocoa clubs through which they participated in Farmer Field School training. To support the training, two model farms and 25 demonstration plots were established. The training led to the planting of an additional 1,062 hectares of cocoa intercropped with cashew and fruit trees.
- Approximately 649,320 seedlings distributed. Participating farmers received cocoa and Crotalaria (a temporary shade tree) seedlings. Each farmer received an average of 150-200 seedlings.
- 9 fermentaries established. Training facilitators in the Ea’ Kar and Lak Districts of Dak Lak Province. These businesses provide an essential service for farmers who are not yet producing cocoa in sufficient volumes to conduct fermentation effectively on their own.
Success Story: Training Facilitator is a Leader and a Problem Solver in her Community