Green Climate Fund helps Vietnam address climate change impact

The five localities to benefit from the project “Strengthening the resilience of smallholder agriculture to climate change-induced water insecurity in the Central Highlands and South-Central Coast regions of Vietnam” are Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Dak Nong, and Dak Lak.

A document to this effect was signed in Hanoi on May 28 by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

The project aims to empower vulnerable smallholders in the central highlands or the south-central coast to manage the increasing risks relating to climate change, by boosting agricultural production by securing sufficient water provisions, supporting local farmers in adopting climate-resilient agriculture, and strengthening access to agro-climate information, credit, and markets.

MARD Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep stated that this represents the largest non-refundable aid received by the MARD from international organisations over recent years.

Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP resident representative in Vietnam, said the scheme is designed to modernise irrigational systems, improve water security, and bolster livelihoods of people living in the areas vulnerable to climate change. In addition, it will provide local people with greater knowledge of climate risks and climate resilience agriculture whilst strengthening their access to agro-climate information, credit, and markets.

The project is also anticipated to assist more than 335,000 indirect beneficiaries through various training courses and technical assistance, along with providing access to climate risk information and the best practices of smart agriculture amid ongoing climate change.

The project is scheduled to be carried out over six years, starting from the fourth quarter of 2020.