Solutions for socio-ecological transformation approaches in agriculture

The seminar is part of a series of activities under the cooperation project "Towards a new paradigm shift in agricultural development through the Socio-ecological Transition (SET) approach in science and policy making (Case study in Vietnam)" between the Institute of Policy and Management (IPAM) and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southeast Asia.
 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities) delivered the opening speech of the seminar.

 

In his opening speech, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shared that the cooperation project between the University and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Southeast Asia aims to build a network of scientists, policy makers, and other stakeholders interested in agricultural production activities and management in Vietnam in particular and the application of SET in research and policy making in practice. This is one of the results of a long-term cooperation of more than 20 years with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation of the University's Institute of Policy and Management, aiming to promote policy research activities on socio-economic development and transformation in Vietnam in particular and in the Southeast Asian region in general in different contexts.

The Vice President of the University hopes that at the seminar, the audience and experts will have the opportunity to exchange research results on opportunities, challenges and policy implications in agricultural production and food systems of Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries in the context of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. Thereby, building development models that can adapt to new social changes.
 

Mr. Phillips Degenhardt (Regional Director, Rosa Luxembourg Foundation Southeast Asia - Hanoi Office) emphasized that the world is going through a period of struggling with the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as climate change on agriculture and food. In both developed and developing countries, producers and farmers are facing a lot of pressure on crop varieties and supply chains due to land degradation and water scarcity. The overwhelming power of corporations makes the situation even more difficult. This requires new policies and solutions in agriculture to limit the monopoly of corporations, overcome the financial constraints of the global food production system, thereby creating benefits for workers and farmers.
 
With that meaning, this seminar is expected to contribute ideas and practical exchanges to build policy proposals on sustainable agricultural production development in Vietnam. The seminar as well as the Project is one of the activities that the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation is implementing with partners in the field of policy consulting, serving the goal of socio-ecological transformation in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Hoc (Institute of Natural Resources and Environment, VNU) presented the introductory report.

After the opening session, the discussion began with the introductory report by Associate Professor Dr. Truong Quang Hoc (Institute of Natural Resources and Environment, VNU) "Nature-based solutions for agricultural transformation in the context of global change". The report presented the negative aspects of modern intensive agricultural methods using a lot of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This method causes environmental pollution, soil degradation, threatens human health, and reduces biodiversity. The author proposed a new agricultural approach based on the principles of natural ecosystems (natural), which minimizes the use of chemicals and promotes the use of organic fertilizers for agricultural intensification.

Delegates take souvenir photos

After the introductory report, the discussion continued with 02 sessions and 11 presentations.
At the end of the working day, the Organizing Committee received 15 opinions exchanged and discussed between scientists and experts revolving around the issue of agricultural production from the approach of socio-ecological transition, food systems and food security issues, food sovereignty from theory to policy and practice. The seminar also welcomed the participation of more than 150 scholars, experts, and researchers from home and abroad attending online on the Zoom platform.