Vinh Long launches project to create adaptive livelihoods in wetlands

Photo caption — Dr. Nguyen Thanh My, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rynan Technologies Vietnam Joint Stock Company, shared the effectiveness of the smart insect monitoring system implemented by IFAD with the support of the unit.

The IFIA project will be implemented for 5 years (2025-2030) in wetland or mangrove areas in Tra Vinh and Ben Tre provinces (old), funded by the Climate Change Adaptation Fund (AF) with a total capital of 5 million USD (equivalent to over 131 billion VND). The project's objective is to pilot, systematize knowledge and institutionalize financial instruments to scale up adaptation capacity in coastal livelihood activities, thereby contributing to the conservation and promotion of sustainable use of wetlands and mangrove forests.

The direct target is 21,000 people vulnerable to climate change, equivalent to about 6,000 families. The project focuses on gender and youth integration, with the goal of reaching 50% of beneficiaries being women and 30% being youth.

The IFIA project consists of two main components: Promoting innovative financial mechanisms and Systemic learning and replication, with many sub-components. The specific outputs and expected impacts of the project are that at least 6,000 households will have access to financial products and services, and apply adaptation solutions. The project also aims to restore 5,000 hectares of mangrove forests; replicate at least 10 adaptation initiatives through policy advocacy...

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Anupa Rimal Lamichhane, Chief Environment and Climate Change Specialist, IFAD Asia- Pacific Division, said that IFAD is a committed partner to Vietnam. Since 1993, IFAD and the Government of Vietnam have invested 495 million USD to implement 18 projects and programs, bringing direct benefits to 1.43 million Vietnamese people.

IFIA is a project strategically designed to complement and amplify the results and impacts of the IFAD-funded Climate Smart Agriculture Value Chain Development (CSAT) Project previously implemented in the two provinces of Tra Vinh and Ben Tre (old), implemented from 2022-2026. This project has brought many positive results, contributing to helping localities and people adapt to climate change, improving the livelihoods of rural people.

For the IFIA Project, the funding agency will focus on wetlands to provide important ecosystem services; enhancing the livelihoods of small-scale producers, such as ecological aquaculture and ecotourism through financial mechanisms and partnerships with the private sector.

Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son said that climate change is having increasingly serious impacts on people's lives and livelihoods, with many complex phenomena such as high tides, subsidence and landslides. Faced with this situation, the province is reviewing and updating its comprehensive planning to aim for sustainable development and ensure stable livelihoods for the people.

The IFIA project implemented in the province is a very important resource, contributing to supporting the province in redefining the vision, strategy and development direction for key sectors and fields. The province aims to achieve an average income per capita of 169 million VND/person/year by 2030. Therefore, the locality is focusing on implementing solutions to create sustainable livelihoods, helping people improve their knowledge and skills to adapt to climate change, and transform production structures to suit new conditions.

The IFIA project is the result of close cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Climate Change Adaptation Fund (AF), with the aim of promoting financial inclusion – a finance system that all people, whether in remote or isolated areas, have the opportunity to access and benefit equally.

Vinh Long province commits to receiving and effectively using funding sources, bringing practical benefits to the people, contributing to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in particular and Vietnam in general. The Provincial People's Committee will direct consistently, decisively and consistently from the provincial level to the grassroots; closely coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, IFAD Fund and partners to effectively implement each component of the project. Vinh Long province hopes that, through the project, people in wetland areas in Vinh Long will have access to new knowledge, improve their adaptive capacity and develop sustainable livelihoods, especially enhancing the application of scientific and technological advances and digital transformation in the production process.

Mr. Nguyen Truc Son requested departments, branches and localities to uphold their sense of responsibility, take advantage of and integrate other resources to ensure the project's high efficiency.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/vinh-long-khoi-dong-du-an-tao-sinh-ke-thich-ung-o-vung-dat-ngap-nuoc-20251111161236740.htm