Delegates view some of the clam products at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Tá Chuyên

NGHỆ AN — The sustainable clam and bamboo value chain development in Việt Nam (SCBV) project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Oxfam Vietnam in collaboration with Vietnamese partners, has benefited a large number of rural residents and stabilised these production areas in Việt Nam. 

A conference was held in Vinh City in the central province of Nghệ An on March 23 to review the project.

The project covers five provinces of Trà Vinh, Bến Tre, Tiền Giang, Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An, aiming to contribute to promoting economic development and business efficiency of small-scale firms and processors towards sustainable standards, while strengthening market access and creating favourable policies for inclusive and sustainable development of the clam and bamboo value chain in Việt Nam.

It also focused on reducing poverty and inequality in rural areas of Việt Nam, assisting clam and bamboo producers and processors in applying sustainable practices, and promoting public-private partnerships in fair and responsible chain governance.

A report from the project showed that in 2018, there were about 1.5 million small-scale producers and processors engaged in clam and bamboo industries. However, they faced many challenges, mostly due to the impoverished situation of material areas as a result of degradation, overexploitation and lack of understanding of sustainable maintenance.

In this situation, the project coordinated with the localities to improve farming techniques in order to achieve international certificates such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) for clam, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for bamboo, enabling their products to enter large markets such as the US, the EU and Japan.

In 2019, Quan Hoa District in the north-central province of Thanh Hóa became the first locality in Việt Nam to achieve the FSC certificate for bamboo production, followed by Quế Phong District in neighbouring Nghệ An Province and Quan Sơn District in Thanh Hóa.

In early 2023, the Mekong Delta province of Trà Vinh became the third clam production area to achieve ASC certificate. These are considered big steps for Vietnamese clam and bamboo industries.

Phan Văn Thắng, director of the Research Centre for Non-Timber Forest Product, said at the event that after receiving the FSC certificate, the bamboo forests were grown and maintained better, generating higher productivity and more stable quality products, resulting in higher socio-economic and environmental values.

Hoàng Quang Phòng, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that thanks to the project, more than 34,000 people had enjoyed sustainable income from clam and bamboo, while 125 production groups were better organised, 63 businesses had seen their business situation advance, and more than 4,000 new jobs have been created.

At the same time, the project had helped increase Việt Nam's clam exports to Europe by 38-40 per cent, and bamboo exports by 42 per cent, he said. — VNS