The project addressed the need to promote more sustainable, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly agricultural production systems in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. The project recognized that smaller farmers, local government officials, agricultural extension workers, young researchers, and university students play important roles in the transition toward circular agriculture, but their knowledge and practical capacity in applying circular economy (CE) principles remain limited. Thus, the project aimed to promote the adoption circular agriculture practices, strengthen stakeholder capacity and contribute to sustainable agricultural development in the region.
To achieve the objective, the project implemented a combination of capacity building, field demonstrations, field visit, scientific research, knowledge dissemination and university education. Training activities were organized for commune-level government officials, agricultural extension workers, farmers and university students to improve their understanding of the principles and practical applications of circular economy in agriculture. These activities helped connect theoretical knowledge with practical solutions appropriate to local agricultural conditions.
A major achievement of the project was the establishment of eight (8) demonstration models for field-based training and knowledge dissemination. The models covered several practical circular agriculture practices, including biological bedding in livestock production, organic composting, vermicomposting, vegetable production using organic compost, beekeeping. These demonstration sites provided opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders to directly observe, practice, and discuss circular agricultural approaches and their potential application in local production systems. The project also generated important scientific and knowledge outputs. These included two articles published in peer-reviewed international journals, three articles published in peer-reviewed domestic journals and one published reference book. These outputs contributed to disseminating knowledge and research findings on circular agriculture beyond the immediate project implementation sites. An important institutional achievement was the successful integration of circular economy content into one formal undergraduate course at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF). This outcome provides a mechanism for maintaining and expanding knowledge on circular agriculture among university students and future agricultural professionals beyond the project period.
Overall, the project strengthened knowledge and practical capacity among farmers, local officials, extension workers, young researchers, and university students. The combination of training, demonstration models, research outputs, and curriculum integration established a foundation for the continued adoption and wider dissemination of circular agricultural practices. The project experience and outputs provide useful lessons for sustainable agricultural development in mountainous areas and can support future research, capacity building, stakeholder collaboration and scaling-up of circular economy approaches in other rural areas of Vietnam.
