Developing PGS in Tân Lạc, Hòa Bình

Seed to Table's Project

Livelihood goals and local cultural preservation

To improve the living standards of smallholder farmers, protect the environment, and preserve and pass on local culinary culture, the Japanese organization Seed to Table, headed by Ms. Mayu Indo as chief representative, implemented the project "Improving livelihoods for small-scale farmers through adopting organic agriculture and better market access".

In 2012, Seed to Table approached ADDA to seek advice on implementing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), focusing on crop and livestock production, rolled out in the communes of Địch Giáo, Phú Vinh, Nam Sơn, and Đông Lai. The process of establishing the PGS system in Tân Lạc was assisted by Mr. Koen den Braber – ADDA-VNFU organic agriculture development project advisor, and Ms. Từ Thị Tuyết Nhung – technical advisor.

Training and quality supervision

Training courses on production techniques and organizational and operational skills for inter-groups and farmer groups—especially in inspection and quality monitoring according to PGS Vietnam organic standards—were prioritized by Seed to Table, which invited reputable trainers from PGS and the Northern College of Agriculture and Rural Development to instruct the farmers.

With the active participation of nearly 30 member households, along with the involvement of the Department of Agriculture, the Plant Protection Station of Tân Lạc district, and the Northern College of Agriculture and Rural Development, PGS organic products from Tân Lạc will soon be brought into the PGS member store chain so Hanoi consumers can access genuinely high-quality products.