Bio-diversity

Vietnam is a country, which is recognised as a centre of origin and diversity for cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.), and other crops. The total number of native plant species found in Vietnam is estimated at 4,800. Conservation of agrobiodiversity is therefore identified as a national priority in the Vietnam National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP, 1995). The project will be carried out in Phong Chau and Thong Hue Communes, in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, a northern mountainous and border province and is home to a number of ethnic minority groups, such as Tay, Nung. Cao Bang is the area which is rich in plant genetic resources of the ecological zone of northern mountain of Vietnam. Many species and varieties are endemic, important to food security, of highly social and cultural values, and potential for commercial production. For example, in Trung Khanh District, there are endemic species of native plants, such as de Trung Khanh, rice bean Vigna - umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi (with vernacular names: dau nho nhe Cao Bang, dau gao, dau do Cao Bang), bitter tea Ilex kaushue Hu, and son tra (one medicinal plant which is endemic in Trung Khanh). However, many of these species and varieties are in danger of extinction. The plant genetic resources of Cao bang in general and of Trung Khanh in particular have significantly declined in terms of both quantity and quality. Common threats to the loss of plant genetic resources from farmlands in Vietnam in general and in Cao Bang and Trung Khanh in particular are the overexploitation of forest and other natural resources, replacement of native varieties by modern ones, lack of incentive for cultivation and conservation of native plants, loss of traditional knowledge about the cultivation of native plants, and lack of awareness and understanding of the specialised potential of native plants. The project aims to contribute to conserving agrobiodiversity of Trung Khanh District through developing an on-farm conservation model, which encourages farmers to participate in the agrobiodiversity conservation. It will transfer technology on sustainable cultivation on sloping land, utilising native plant species and varieties in Trung Khanh District in an agroforestry model. The project expects to contribute to the potential macro GEF project on agrobiodiversity conservation in Vietnam, which has been initiated and developed by UNDP-GEF Vietnam, in providing the lessons leaned on an on-farm conservation model and community involvement in agrobiodiversity conservation in Vietnam. The project will also join the effort of the international commentates, including UNDP Vietnam as well as the Government in contributing to eradicating hunger and alleviating poverty in the project area through promoting rational use of natural resources and maximising agricultural production to satisfy the food requirements of the people, and to greening the barren land which has resulted from deforestation and slash and burn cultivation practices of the ethnic minorities in the area.

Vietnam