The challenge of food security, value chains and delivery of benefits for smallholder farmers in Vietnam, Southeast Asia part 2

Abstract

The challenge for the smallholder farmers and value chain actors in Southeast Asia will be to reduce the impacts of diminishing resources, climate variability and environmental degradation and at the same time achieve economic viability. Food security, environmental and economic sustainable practices will have to be developed, delivering to consumers a highly desirable, safe product. Changes in climatic variables (temperature, precipitation and atmospheric conditions) will affect production and value chain practices. The diminishing quality of natural resources (polluted water, contaminated land, and smog) and changes in consumers' wants and needs, mean value chains and present farmers practices in Southeast Asia need to change quickly. Changes are occurring slowly, but at what cost to whom? Development of new preharvest and postharvest technologies targeting consumer wants and needs are primary factors presently driving new value chain dynamics, but environmental stewardship by smallholders and chain participants, and economic management are also major components of value chains needed to ensure our future food security. Presently these are not being targeted. Improvements in environmental practices (use of integrated pest management systems, or farm best practice), need to be implemented to ensure production and a safe product is delivered to consumers. Furthermore, on farm, preharvest and postharvest and value chain practices will have to be highly adaptable to financial and environmental changes. Therefore, sound business practices based on good financial management with effective and efficient use of resources also need to be developed and implemented. This paper will discuss possible solutions to resolve the conflicts between environmental constraints and the challenge of achieving economic viability for value chains for Asian farmers.