PROJECT ASSESSMENTS - Science for Agriculture and Rural Development in Low-income Countries - page 183

2) What was the institutional context (partners with which cooperated?)

Institutes Country

Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI) The Netherlands

Alterra Green World Research The Netherlands

Applied Plant Research (PPO) The Netherlands

Soil and Fertilizer Institute (SFI) China

College of Agricultural Economics and Trade (CAET), Sichuan
Agricultural University

China

Universität Hannover (UHANN) Germany

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Spain

Hanoi Agricultural University (HAU) Vietnam

Cooperation with other organizations/institutes (non project partners):

CIRAD, IFPRI, FAO Vegetable IPM programme, RIFAV, private sector (Fresh
Partners, Metro, East West Seeds and Syngenta)

B) Project objectives

1) What were the initial project objectives?

1. To identify and analyse the key biophysical and economic constraints to produc-
tivity, profitability and sustainability of smallholder vegetable farming systems.
2. To develop and test in a participatory manner improved pest and disease manage-
ment techniques in vegetable farming systems with increased efficiency of use,
effectiveness and reduced impact on the environment.
3. To develop and test in a participatory manner improved soil fertility management
techniques in vegetable farming systems that improve both productivity and
long-term sustainability.
4. To identify marketing strategies that increase the profitability of vegetable
production.
5. To make information on developed technologies widely available to farmers and
to formulate complimentary policy and programme options at the local or regional
level to promote adoption of the improved production techniques.

2) Have there been any (major) changes to these objectives and for what reason?

In addition to Objective 4 'Identifying Marketing Strategies', the project team also
took the step to apply these strategies in Vietnam. It became an important objective
in the project to 'Link smallholders to high-end consumer markets'.

C) Project activities

1) Which activities were employed to meet the objectives?