The fragmented landscape of Northwest Vietnam. Humidtropics' Central Mekong Flagship team in Northwest Vietnam launched its first Newsletter in April. Taking stock of what was achieved in 2015, the team sets the stage for 2016 with plans to further expand their R4D Platform project, working on integrated upland farming systems innovations, and nutrients management for coffee. Moving forward, Humidtropics researchers and partners will focus on promoting safe vegetable production and establishing market linkages for safe vegetable products in Muong Bon commune, as well as scaling-up … [Read more...]
Bridging the Hunger Gap with Improved Leafy Vegetables in Cameroon’s Smallholder Cocoa Farms
Cameroon is one of the world’s largest producers of cocoa; 209,905 tons of cocoa beans were produced in 2014. Cocoa is the main cash crop of the Centre region of Cameroon and one of the main export commodities of the country. However, unstable international cocoa prices coupled with weather variability have increased food insecurity and malnourishment among cocoa farmers. Furthermore, even when cocoa prices reached high peaks in international markets, smallholder farmers received only 3.5 to 6.4 % of the final value of the chocolate bar. With highly volatile cocoa prices and … [Read more...]
Vegetable Innovation Platform in Vietnam Bears Fruit – and Vegetables!
With suitable agroclimatic conditions, low labor costs, and good infrastructure, the Northwestern uplands of Vietnam have the potential to move from the production of low value staple crops into the production of high value fruit and vegetables. Vegetable production in the area is increasing, albeit slowly. The change in production systems requires coordinated action on the part of farmers, input suppliers, government agencies, and vegetable traders. In 2014, Humidtropics set up an Innovation Platform on vegetables to promote this process, enhance collaboration, and build trust among the … [Read more...]