Major study reveals widespread adoption of CGIAR agricultural innovations in Vietnam, Impacting millions of rural households

A comprehensive study documenting the extensive adoption of CGIAR-supported agricultural innovations across Vietnam was presented at a high-level workshop in Hanoi. The study has identified notable breakthroughs achieved under the initiative, including improved rice and cassava varieties and the successful integration of new tilapia strains.

The event, hosted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA), in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), brought together key experts and policymakers to discuss these important findings.

Dr. Frederic Kosmowski, Senior Scientist at CGIAR SPIA, presented the SPIA Vietnam Report 2024: Global Ambitions, Sustainable Pathways, highlighting 78 agricultural innovations and 30 policy contributions in Vietnam from 2003 to 2023. Dr. Kosmowski shared that 19 CGIAR-related agricultural innovations have a widespread adoption rate, with 3.7 and 4.9 million Vietnamese households benefiting from research-driven advancements. The breakthroughs include:

Improved Rice Varieties: In 2022, nearly 2 million Vietnamese households adopted new varieties developed using CGIAR germplasms. The spread of these high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties has likely contributed to Vietnam’s integration into global rice markets. Aquaculture: The successful integration of GIFT-derived tilapia strains has benefited Vietnam’s commercial aquaculture sector. Improved Cassava Varieties: The wide adoption of high-starch cassava varieties (54% of cassava-growing households) has likely supported Vietnam’s cassava starch industry.

Dr. Kosmowski emphasized that adoption is crucial but not the sole determinant of impact, highlighting the collaborative nature of CGIAR’s work through partnerships.

In his opening message, Professor Travis Lybbert, Chair of the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA), emphasized the event’s significance. “This work represents the culmination of four years of effort while also marking a transition and continuation,” he stated. He highlighted SPIA’s mandate to deepen the evidence of impact from CGIAR research investments, stressing, “Reliable…