The IPM project
This project was the first project implemented 
by ADDA in Vietnam. The IPM project was started in February 1999 and after being extended with a second phase is was terminated by December 2005. The project has been implementing IPM by use of the Farmer Field School (FFS) concept. This is a participatory method in which farmers select the topics by themselves e.g. introduce improved varieties with high quality seed, optimize the water and fertilizer management, reduce the use of pesticides and thereby produce safer vegetables for consumers. The objectives of the IPM project in Vietnam were:
- Full season training of 9.000 vegetable farmers in vegetable IPM, enabling them to make improved decisions on the management of vegetable production systems.
- Create awareness of the IPM, and Farmer Field School concept among vegetable farmers in general
- Increase the supply of safe vegetables to Hanoi consumers
- Increase the capacity of HNFU and other involved institutions in IPM, English and administration
The IPM Farmer Training Project was implemented in collaboration with the
Hanoi Farmer union, the Horticultural Technology Centre of Hanoi and the Plant-Protection Sub-Division of Hanoi. The project has successfully achieved the expected results.
The final evaluation found that the living conditions of the vegetable farmers in Hanoi Province have significantly improved during the last 6 years. This has been achieved for a number of indicators such as higher income due to higher yield and lower cost for pesticides and fertilizer, better health and an improved market access due to the establishment of farmers groups.
By the two phases of the project more than 11.000 farmers
have been trained in IPM vegetable management. This has resulted in a significant application of the IPM practise in vegetables (also used in all other crops grown by the farmers) in the region enabling the farmers to make better informed decisions on the management of vegetable production system. There has been established more than 100 farmers group which all in all seems to function very well for the benefit of the involved farmers.
At a local level of the farmers union the management and training capacity have significantly increased, 
securing a continued implementation after the project period. At the central level of the HNFU there are still room for improvement when it comes to participatory approaches and methodology, due to organizational problems and poor management. It has proven very difficult to change the farmer union attitude as a top - down driven organization primarily focusing on propaganda, to a more demand driven farmer union, setting the farmers in the centre of the activities.
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