Assessing Gaps between Existing Cassava and Sweetpotato Farming and Climate Smart Agriculture Practices in Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam Kate Wilkins* Root and tuber crops (RTCs) are traditionally grown as a staple crop for food and animal feed by generations Research Highlights: of farmers around the world; but in regions vulnerable to the negative effects • Qualitative data gathering techniques were used to assess the current cassava and of climate change such as Vietnam, sweetpotato farming practices of smallholders in Quảng Thạch and Cao Quảng RTCs are gaining more popularity as communes, Quảng Bình, Vietnam; and to compare it with known climate smart climate-resilient crops that could ensure agriculture practices for root and tuber crops. greater food security for smallholder farmers. In addition to being tolerant of environmental stress, RTCs such as cassava • Farmers in Quảng Bình have grown cassava in the same way for generations and (Manihot esculenta) and sweetpotato some of their practices may not be considered climate-smart. Major gaps in farming (Ipomoea batatas) are now more in practice are cassava stake and row spacing, fertilizer usage, land preparation and demand for their versatility. Cassava has erosion control and limited knowledge on pest and disease management. turned into a commodity traded globally as the industry for starch and dried cassava for livestock feed and industrial uses grows • Sweetpotato is a household garden staple used for food and animal feed in the study (Howeler et al., 2013); while sweetpotato site, however, poor tuber quality and yield as well as limited opportunities to sell in is becoming more popular in processed local markets deter farmers from expanding production. The lack of knowledge on foods, and for its role in combating Vitamin pest management also contributes to the reduced quality and yield. A deficiency and diversifying diets in developing countries (Scott et al., 2000). Meanwhile, climate smart agriculture (CSA) tillage planting of potatoes combined the sustainable farming and improved is an increasingly popular framework that with rice straw mulch led to higher yields management strategies of cassava and allows for the sustainable intensification and lower pest incidence (Dung et al., sweetpotato based on many years of of smallholder farming systems while 2012) and that intercropping cassava with research (Howeler et al., 2013; Howeler & at the same time addressing evolving peanuts and beans, as well as the use of Maung Aye, 2014; and Stathers et al., 2013). environmental issues in the face of grass hedgerows, successfully controlled Recognizing the potential of RTCs in climate change. While the framework is erosion (Arslan, 2010) while maintaining increasing the resilience of smallholder fairly comprehensive, it also recognizes yields (Phien & Tam, 2000). It should be farmers to climate change impacts in the difficulties that arise in prescribing noted that most sweetpotato research Vietnam, this research aimed to determine solutions because interventions must be is focused on Sub-Saharan Africa where potential gaps in farmer knowledge on highly location-specific and knowledge- interest in promoting the crop to improve climate smart practices for cassava and intensive (Howeler et al., 2013). farming livelihood has been growing in the sweetpotato production. The results of last decade (Stathers et al., 2013). Since it is a relatively new framework for this research provides supplemental agricultural development, there is paucity International organizations such as information to the initial FoodSTART+ of studies about CSA for RTCs. There is, the International Potato Center (CIP), scoping study that was done in Quảng however, extensive research that has been the International Center for Tropical Bình and Hà Tĩnh provinces (Even et done on sustainable cropping systems Agriculture (CIAT), and the Food and al., 2016) and provides a more detailed involving RTCs, mostly for cassava. Farmer Agriculture Organization (FAO) have also evaluation of the RTC systems in two trials within Vietnam have shown that no published manuals and guidebooks on communes in Quảng Bình province.

Food Resilience Through Root and Tuber Crops in Upland and Coastal The project’s key components are: Communities of the Asia-Pacific (FoodSTART+) is a three-year project (2015- 1. Project start-up and scoping studies including mapping on food 2018) that builds on and expands the scope of the concluded IFAD-supported vulnerability of RTC production and use; Food Security Through Asian Root and Tuber Crops (FoodSTART) project. It is coordinated by the International Potato Center (CIP) and implemented in 2. Research for development (R4D) partnership development; collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in 3. Needs and opportunities analysis on gender sensitive RTC innovations; Asia. The project is also working closely with the CGIAR Research Program on 4. R4D action planning and launching; and Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). It is funded by the International 5. Documentation and knowledge products development. Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Union (EU). The first series of the FoodSTART+ Research Briefs featured the results of About FoodSTART+ The project aims to enhance food resilience among poor households in upland the country scoping studies under Component 1. This second series presents and coastal communities of the Asia-Pacific region through introducing root the key findings and recommendations of in-depth studies conducted by and tuber crops (RTCs) innovations. To achieve this goal at scale, the project the project under Component 3 to assess needs and opportunities on RTCs develops, validates and implements effective partnership strategies with IFAD innovations. These studies were carried out in the first and second year of investment projects to promote RTCs for food security. project implementation. low farm gate prices caused many of them to just feed their crops to livestock. Some also use their cassava for food. Planting material. In both Quang Thạch and Cao Quảng, the most commonly used variety is Sắn Cao Sản or KM94, the variety sold for starch processing. Traditional varieties are often planted alongside KM94. Field preparation. Many farmers undertake tillage in two stages, first is the initial pass with a buffalo or cow to break up the soil and then a second tillage to kill weeds. A few farmers in Quang Thạch reported that they sometimes rent and use a scooping machine or an excavator first, followed with animal tillage. They claim that it is best to use the excavator every couple of years to improve soil quality, but most farmers cannot afford it. To reduce soil erosion, most farmers also construct raised beds that slow down the flow of water or dig ditches around the crops to divert water around or between cassava rows. Planting. All farmers grow cassava in monoculture, except for one who intercrops with beans. Most farmers have tried intercropping beans or corn but found it unsuccessful. While planting Location of Quảng Thạch and Cao ảQu ng Communes in Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam. methods are similar in both communes, there is significant variability in stake spacing, though most farmers plant their Research Site Description Methodology stakes further apart in better soils. Cao Quảng Bình is a province on the Qualitative methods for primary data Quảng focus groups reported spacing North Central Coast of Vietnam with a gathering, including focus group 33-60 cm apart while Cao Quảng farmers predominantly agricultural economy. It is discussions (FGD) and key informant plant 40-80 cm apart. bordered by the South China Sea to the interviews (KII), were used to document Planting usually occurs from December to east, Laos to the west, Quảng Trị province farmers’ cropping practices for cassava and January but may be done from November to the south and Hà Tĩnh province to the sweetpotato in the research sites in June through February. north. Đồng Hới is the coastal capital with to July 2016. FGDs with male and female about 160,000 residents. This research RTC farmers were conducted in the six Fertilization. Almost all the farmers apply focused on farmers in Quang Thạch chosen villages, with a total of 32 and 29 fertilizers before planting and during and Cao Quảng communes in Quảng farmers for Quang Thạch and Cao Quảng, cropping. Most use manure as well as Bình, as chosen by the Sustainable Rural respectively. complete fertilizers such as Đầu Trâu, while Development for the Poor (SRDP) project, some use a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, For the KII, five farmers per village, five or potassium-based amendments; or an IFAD-supported investment project cassava traders, five input sellers, two with which FoodSTART+ collaborates. whatever is left from other crops. Many cassava starch factory executives, and farmers cited the high price of fertilizer for Quang Thạch commune is composed of one large scale cassava farmer were their low rate of application but expressed eight villages and located in Quảng Trạch interviewed. The respondents were that they would like to use more fertilizer. District, 17 km North West of Ba Đồn Town. chosen to represent both male and female The villages are fairly homogenous in their farmers as well as a range of social classes Weeding. All farmers in both communes crop production and economic activity. from poor to wealthier farmers. All of the reported manual weeding after planting Village 3, 5, and 8 were selected for data farmers interviewed planted either cassava cassava. During interviews, farmers gathering based on the recommendations or cassava and sweetpotato in the past explained that the timing of weeding often of the commune leaders. The villages year. However, cassava and sweetpotato depends on labor availability and can be surveyed in this study have level, low-lying are only considered major crops by farmers put off if the family is engaged in other croplands used primarily for growing rice in Quang Thạch, along with pepper and farming activities. and sloping lands where houses and other eucalyptus. In Cao Quảng, major crops Pest and disease management. Farmers crop fields are located. include acacia, peanuts, and maize. in Cao Quảng and Quang Thạch claim Cao Quảng commune is in a narrow valley Cassava Cropping Practices that they do not experience major pest located in the Tuyên Hóa District. It is problems and that they do not use accessible by one paved road that parallels Cassava cropping practices are similar pesticides on cassava, even as some the Song Nan River, 33 km from Ba Đồn. Of in both communes, with only slight farmers reported occasional major losses the commune’s five villages, three villages differences. For almost all farmers, farm size of about 20-30% from pests. Farmers were selected by the commune leadership allotted to cassava is small (<0.19 ha), often did mention that the most common for data collection: Vĩnh Xuân, Phú Xuân, due to pressure from more profitable crops cassava pests are termites and crickets and Cao Cảnh. The Song Nan River such as acacia in Cao Quảng and pepper in for Cao Quảng and Quang Thạch separates Vĩnh Xuân and Phú Xuân from Quang Thạch. However, it is worth noticing farmers, respectively. Many farmers also the other villages and the administrative that majority of farmers were growing experienced minimal losses from leaf- headquarters of the commune. to sell in Quang Thạch compared to very eating bugs. Two farmers said they use the few in Cao Quảng. Cao Quảng farmers pesticide ‘Terex’ to address bug problems. indicated that limited market access and At the same time, farmers in Quang Thạch cassava, even though this practice has as food or animal feed rather than for did not report any diseases affecting been proven successful in many trials the market. In fact, many farmers were cassava, while root rot due to flooding was throughout Vietnam (Howeler et al., 2013). not able to specify the exact size of their mentioned by some farmers in Cao Quảng. Fertilizer use. Some farmers do not land allotted to sweetpotato, unlike with cassava. Majority of those who answered Harvesting. Farmers growing cassava apply the optimal mix of fertilizers and had less than 500 m2, especially in Quang for animal feed harvest at different time generally apply too much phosphorus Thạch. In Cao Quảng, there were more intervals than farmers growing for starch and too little potassium, while many of farmers who said that they do not know or processing. Harvesting can be done by the average or wealthier farmers report are planting only in their home gardens. either the farmer or laborers hired by the using fertilizers at higher rates than trader. Plants used for livestock feed are recommended. Many farmers also either Only four farmers in Quang Thạch and pulled up by farmers a few at a time, as use compound fertilizers or nitrogen and none in Cao Quảng regularly sell their needed, while the remaining are left in the phosphorus-based fertilizers alone. CIAT sweetpotatoes at the local markets. Those ground for up to two years. Some farmers recommendations for the sustainable who do not sell explained that whatever may harvest a large amount at once and management of cassava suggest produce left from pest damage were eaten then chip and dry the roots to store for increasing nitrogen and potassium inputs by the household while the damaged parts later use. On the other hand, farmers and decreasing phosphorus applications are fed to livestock. over time (Howeler & Maung Aye, 2014), planting cassava for starch will harvest Planting material. Common varieties something that farmers do not report their field in a day or more and then sell grown in both communes are Khoai doing. Supplemental fertilization of the lot by weight or, alternatively, a trader Chiêm dâu and Khoai Đỏ. Some farmers nitrogen or potassium should be provided will pay the farmer for the cassava in his also plant a variety that they refer to as “cổ for healthy plant development. field and then hire laborers to harvest. truyền”, or traditional, but the exact variety Yield. Farmers growing cassava for animal Land preparation. Many farmers in the is unknown. Almost all farmers grow a feed reported yields that were higher and study site have issues with poor drainage small patch of sweetpotatoes near their more variable (7-80 t/ha) than farmers during the rainy season as well as erosion home where they take shoots for planting growing cassava to sell (25 t/ha in Quang in sloping crop fields. However, while it material as needed. is recommended to use a sub-soiler to Thạch and 60 t/ha in Cao Quảng). It should Field preparation. In both communes, improve drainage and reduce potential for be noted, however, that most farmer farmers always till their fields before cassava root rot, an excavator dramatically estimates are significantly higher than planting sweetpotatoes, similarly to alters soil structure and may create a hard official data on average cassava yields in cassava. They then make raised beds pan layer below the surface (Howeler & Quảng Bình at 18.5 t/ha (QBSO, 2015 as and plant shoots at the top of each bed Maung Aye, 2014). In flood areas, these mentioned by Even et al., 2016). This could which make weeding easier because machines could reduce water infiltration mean that farmers, especially those who farmers generally weed based on the and cause soil waterlogging, erosion, and do not sell cassava, tend to overestimate length of vines down the sides of the bed. increase the potential for root rot disease. yields. Because of its short production cycle, Moreover, while farmers use ditches to sweetpotatoes are often planted in the few Gaps between current practice and CSA channel water around cassava fields, a months between rice cropping seasons more climate smart strategy would be to Farmers in Quang Thạch and Cao Quảng and are rotated with corn or beans. have grown cassava in the same way for use hedgerows or other living barriers to generations and some of their practices slow water and reduce erosion. Planting and harvesting. In Quang Thạch, common planting times are July to August may not be considered climate smart. Pest and disease management. Generally, and harvest is September to December In both communes, the major gaps in pests are not considered a major issue in while in Cao Quảng, limited data show practice are the following: both communes. Farmers seem willing main planting in May or September and to accept crop losses because they do Crop spacing. Cassava stakes are planted harvesting in October or December. not have the time, manpower, money, or too closely, while recommended spacing Outside of these growing periods, interest in reducing damage from pests; as between plants is about 80 cm to 1 meter sweetpotatoes are often grown in home well as sufficient knowledge about pests (Howeler & Maung Aye, 2014). It was gardens for household use and planting and diseases and how to manage them. also recommended that plants should material. Crop leaves and small roots are be grown closer together in poor soil to Sweetpotato Cropping Practices commonly fed to animals while young maximize yield per area, however, farmers leaves and larger roots are eaten. tend to space stakes widely in poor soils While cropping practices are similar for and more closely in fertile soils. This crop both cassava and sweetpotato, there is Fertilization. Similar with cassava, farmers spacing may have contributed to the a stark difference in that sweetpotato is also make use of leftover amendments for farmers’ lack of success in intercropping primarily planted for household utilization fertilizing sweetpotato but generally apply less amendment than on cassava. The most common commercial fertilizer used in the Cao Quảng villages was Kali (phosphorus- based) and Đạm (nitrogen-based). In Quang Thạch, farmers apply urea and/or phosphorus amendments. Most farmers add supplemental fertilizer of urea or Kali, 20 to 30 days after planting or after the first weeding. Sometimes, additional fertilizer use is dependent on the type and amount of amendment left from other crops. Weeding. Most farmers in both communes weed their sweetpotatoes once, usually at the same time with adding supplemental fertilizer. While some farmers claim they weed an additional time, many are constrained by labor or do not consider it Cassava Monocrop Farm in Quảng Bình. (Photo by Georgina Smith/CIAT) necessary. Pest and disease management. Several Cao Quảng and a few Quang Thạch farmers reported sweetpotato pest issues, specifically leaf and root eating bugs, which caused a drastic decline in yield in their area. Crop damage from stem borers were also reported by some farmers, as well as a variety of other insects which cause more damage the longer the crop remains unharvested. Despite this, very few in both communes use pesticides to control pests because they are either unaware of available pesticides or hesitant to spray because of the perceived negative health implications. In terms of diseases, some reported that their sweetpotatoes have crinkled or Farmer participants and the researchers during the FGD in Quảng Thạch commune. (Photo by Kate Wilkins) yellowed leaves, but do not know the cause. Other farmers also experienced be concluded from the results of this *Research and Innovation Fellowship diseases but could not describe specific research that the most significant gap in for Agriculture (RIFA) Fellow; University symptoms, however, nothing is done to of California, Davis and Nam Nguyen, RTC cropping in Quang Thạch and Cao Dickinson College prevent or treat the symptoms. Quảng is not information, but rather Gaps between current practice and CSA access to markets and varieties. Improving Literature Cited: market access and farm gate prices could In both communes, poor root quality and Arslan, A. 2010. Emerging Issues in the Northern encourage farmers to expand production yield, as well as limited opportunities to Mountainous Region of Viet Nam. Climate Smart of RTCs, invest in improved practices, and sell in local markets, deter farmers from Agriculture: Capturing the Synergies among Mitigation, participate in markets. This intervention Adaptation and Food Security. Economics and Policy expanding production. There is, however, a should be coupled with the introduction of Innovations for Climate Smart Agriculture. Food and difference in the attitude and the needs of more performing and resilient varieties. Agriculture Organization. farmers in improving production. Dung, N.T., Ketelaar, W.H., & Abubakar, A.L.M. 2012. It is also recommended that any In Cao Quảng, poor quality and Save and Grow: Minimum-Tillage IPM in Rice-Based intervention for improving RTC production Potato Cropping in Vietnam. In Hauswirth et al. (Eds). inconsistent supply lead to poor public should be made site specific and based on Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Upland perception towards produce coming more rigorous examination of the actual Livelihoods: Innovations for, with and by Farmers to from local farmers. Because of this, none Adapt to Local and Global Changes. Proceedings of the needs of farmers. This is to overcome the of the farmers sell their sweetpotatoes 3rd International Conference on Conservation Agriculture social and structural barriers to change in in Southeast Asia. Hanoi, Vietnam. 10-15 December Pp. at the local market even though there cropping practices and entry into markets 120-122. is local demand and competitive prices. that are unique to each of the study sites, Even, B., N.T. Hieu; N. Kawarazuka, & C. Bourgoin. Although the exact cause of the problems including: 2016. Root and Tuber Crops in Central Vietnam: An are unknown, this study found gaps in Underestimated Potential for Food and Income? Results of terms of poor-yielding varieties and the • Inaccessibility of Phú Xuân and Vĩnh Xuân a Scoping Study. FoodSTART+. CIP. Laguna, Philippines lack of pest management. The farmers are villages in Cao Quảng due to seasonal Howeler, R. L. & Maung Aye, T. (2014). Sustainable also either not aware of any alternative or floods, which limits the ability of farmers Management of Cassava in Asia: From Research to Practice. better management techniques or believe and traders to transport their crops. CIAT. The Nippon Foundation, Vietnam. 168 pp. that there is nothing that can be done to • Low buying prices in the cassava Howeler, R. L., Thomas, N., Arrieta Bolaños, S., Ochoa improve their current practice. Even if they Henríquez, J. M., Odio Echeverría, F., Moreno, V., & Boerger, processing trade center in Cao Quảng, J. (2013). Save and Grow: Cassava. A Guide to Sustainable were aware of an improved technology, likely driven by the limited number of Production Intensification. FAO. Rome, Italy. like an appropriate insecticide, farmers local traders and high transportation cost Phien, T., & Tam, T. T. 2000. Vetiver Grass in may be trapped in a vicious circle and to factories. Hedgerow Farming Systems on Sloping Lands in refrain from using it as long as the quality Vietnam. Contour, 12, 29-32. • The mindset of farmers in Cao Quảng, stigma persists. More intensive research on Scott, G.J., Best R., Rosegrant M., & Bokanga M. 2000. the root cause of the low yield and quality wherein cassava is not treated as an Roots and Tubers in the Global Food System: A Vision decline are needed to provide sustainable income generating crop, which deter Statement to the Year 2020. CIP. Lima, Peru. and long term solutions. farmers from making changes to their Stathers, T., Carey, E., Mwanga, R., Njoku, J., Malinga, J., cropping system. Njoku, A., Gibson, R., Namanda, S. 2013. Everything You In Quang Thạch, some farmers can and Ever Wanted to Know about Sweetpotato. Reaching Agents do sell in local markets, albeit in small • The limited willingness and interest of of Change TOT Manual 4: Sweetpotato Production and quantities and only when there is extra farmers in both communes to embrace Management. CIP. Nairobi, Kenya. supply or high seasonal prices. Farmers new technologies and innovations due QBSO (Quảng Bình Statistical Office). 2015. Quảng Bình expressed a desire to improve production to lack of perceived benefits, except for a Statistical Yearbook 2015. Hanoi: Statistical Publishing through high quality varieties, increased call for more fertilizers. House. fertilizer use, and more effective pesticides. • Low yields and pest problems in For more information, contact: Despite these, only a few farmers sweetpotato from Cao Quảng that leave CIP Philippines, PCAARRD, Los Baños, Laguna expressed interest in selling or increasing farmers with limited marketable product 4030 Philippines the area for production, and many would and a stigma for low quality. Tel +63 49 536 8185 | Fax + 63 49 536 1662 rather consume their sweetpotato or use E-mail: [email protected] | Website: cipotato.org as livestock feed because of competition • The low interest of Quang Thạch farmers DISCLAIMER: from other crops and the limited market. to sell their sweetpotato, since they This document was produced with the support would rather consume it or use as of the International Fund for Agricultural Conclusions and Recommendations livestock feed. Development (IFAD) and the European Union (EU). The views expressed herein can in no way be taken To close the aforementioned gaps, • The competition from more profitable to reflect the official opinion of IFAD and EU. farmers need interventions to help crops and the limited market in both them change into more climate smart communes that deter farmers from cropping strategies. However, it can also expanding sweetpotato production.