| Abstract: |
Deforestation and land degradation in connection with shifting cultivation and mono-cropping is a major issue in the northwestern uplands of Vietnam. Fallow cycling in shifting cultivation has been reduced or is non-existent, exacerbated by an increasing population, greater land allocation and strong market liberation and demand. Mono-cropping of maize, upland rice, cassava, teak and currently also rubber is expanding (Photo 1), mainly for economic purposes. On forest land, farmers cut down trees and either plant food crops or sell the timber. As a consequence, during 1990–1995, forest cover was reduced to around 10% and was highly fragmented with a significant loss of biodiversity. Soil erosion owing to unsustainable sloping cultivation is alarming (68 t/ha/year under maize in Yen Son district, Upland program 2010).
Research ideas for bringing trees back to the landscape for more sustainable farming are under development by the World Agroforestry Centre Vietnam and its national partners as a part of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) program in the area. The role of trees in increasing income to local farmers, either directly or indirectly through livestock, and at the same time improving soil and water quality, is a focus of the program. A scoping study has been being carried out by the Centre’s interdisciplinary team that includes international and national experts . Begining in May 2010, we have worked in three provinces, with a focus on Son La province (Map 1). The methods used are reviews, interviews, field visits and workshops with local stakeholders including local government, research institutes, universities and farmers |
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