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23/08/2016

High-level government delegation visits Mangroves & Markets project

SNV

17 August 2016 — As part as a visit to Ca Mau province, a high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Ministries of Justice, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the Government Office, and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations scheduled a field visit to Nhung Mien Forest to learn about SNV’s Mangroves and Markets (MAM) project.

A meeting was organized to facilitate discussion between the delegation, Nhung Mien Forest management Board (FMB), the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), and the MAM project.

In the meeting, the MAM project manager briefed the delegation about the project approach, the main achievements and challenges, and the planned goals for the second phase of the project (2016-2020). DARD and Nhung Mien FMB highlighted how the project effectively addresses climate change challenges and enhances community resilience, by supporting the introduction and expansion of sustainable integrated mangrove-shrimp farming systems.

A number of project beneficiaries – smallholder shrimp farmers – were also present at the meeting. They explained the impacts the project has had on their lives and highlighted the elements they were most impressed about, which included: technical assistance for improving farm management practices; technical and financial support for mangrove replanting; installation of hygienic toilets and training on use; the establishment of linkages between farmers and private processors and exporters.

SNV

After intensive discussions, the leader of the delegation concluded the following:

  • MAM’s project approach is sustainable and comprehensive; it covers all related and necessary aspects. It creates enabling conditions for farmers and their communities in an effective and creative way.

  • The project is efficient in providing significant impacts to the beneficiaries. This became clear from farmers’ appreciation of project support and from the good collaborating with Nhung Mien FMB and DARD.

  • The delegation is very satisfied with the project’s results so far and is looking forward to the second phase of project implementation. They will take all relevant recommendations from the field trip and provide their appraisal and credits for SNV to their mission, donor and government.