Rainforest Alliance Expands Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Training Across Vietnam

Across Vietnam’s coffee, tea, and pepper farms, pests and diseases are becoming more severe as the effects of climate change intensify. In response, many farmers rely heavily on chemical pesticides, a short-term fix that can ultimately worsen the problem. Excessive pesticide use exterminates natural predators that keep pests in check. Pesticides also cause pest resistance, soil degradation, and declining ecosystem health.

Promoting a Smarter, Safer Way to Farm

To tackle these challenges, RA and the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) continue the 2025 - 2026 phase of the Environmental Pollution Programme in Vietnam (EPP-VN)  to advance the IPM method. This practical and sustainable approach emphasises ecological balance, crop observation, and natural pest control methods. The project aims to reduce the use of agrochemicals and their negative impacts on health, climate, and biodiversity, in line with Vietnam’s COP26 commitments.

After achieving a remarkable 82% reduction in insecticide use on tea farms within just two years, the 2024 results proved that IPM is both effective and sustainable. Building on this achievement, the Rainforest Alliance has launched Phase 2 of the project to extend its reach to more farmers, communities, and agricultural landscapes across Vietnam.

By March 2026, this expanded phase will:

• Engage 12 Rainforest Alliance Certificate Holders, representing tea, black pepper, and coffee sectors.

• Reach more than twice as many farmers — increasing from 5,000 to 11,000 participants across six provinces.

• Promote greater inclusion of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized local groups.

• Refine and scale up IPM practices based on insights and lessons learned from earlier successes.

Phase 2: Expanding Reach and Inclusion

Two inception meetings were held in Buon Ma Thuot on 29 July and Dong Nai on 15 August and gathered representatives of all 12 project partners. The sessions presented the project goals, key activities, and reporting guidance, setting the directions for collaboration in 2025–2026.

Kick-off meetings in Buon Ma Thuot and Dong Nai, bringing together 12 project partners to launch the second phase of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project.

Following the kickoff, RA organised Training of Trainers workshops with Vinatea Moc Chau company, Dakman company, Vinh Hiep company, Detech company, My Lam company, Phu Da company, Simexco company and LDC. These sessions equipped local experts with IPM standards and techniques before they began guiding farmers in their respective regions. The model encourages knowledge sharing and long-term capacity building within communities.

Among the newly certified trainers are Ms. Sa (Jarai) and Ms. Hoai (Thai), ethnic minority leaders who now deliver IPM sessions in their own languages. Their participation helps bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that IPM knowledge reaches farmers in remote and diverse areas.

Two newly certified ethnic minority trainers — Ms. Sa (Jarai) and Ms. Hoai (Thai) — now deliver IPM sessions in their own languages, helping ensure farmers in remote areas can access the knowledge clearly and confidently

To date, the project has reached 7,936 farmers, including 4,402 men, 3,534 women, and 3,000 ethnic minority participants.

Empowering Women Farmers to Lead Sustainable Change

Under the umbrella of the local Women’s Union, 24 female-led farmer clubs have been established to continue promoting IPM techniques. These groups bring together members from tea, coffee, and pepper companies and are sustainably financed through a 1% benefit-sharing mechanism derived from the added value created by IPM. Through this model, sustainability takes root — led by women who are driving long-term change in their communities.

As an example, the My Lam Female Farmer Club recently hosted a hands-on session attended by more than 210 women farmers, creating a supportive environment for peer learning and leadership development.

Female Farmer Club leading an IPM training session in My Lam, engaging local women farmers in group discussions and knowledge sharing on sustainable pest management practices.

As Phase 2 progresses, the Rainforest Alliance’s IPM initiative continues to do more than improve farming techniques. It is strengthening communities, promoting gender equity, and building a more resilient agricultural future where everyone can thrive.

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The design and implementation of this project have been accomplished through a collaborative effort with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and funded by UK International Development from the UK government through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).