Context :

The project will take place in the municipalities of Ban Ngo and Nam Dan, both located in the Xin Man district, Ha Giang province, one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam, situated in the northern part of the country bordering China. The population largely consists of ethnic minorities and does not speak the Vietnamese language.
Nearly all of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, and products are sold only in small quantities in local markets.
Living conditions are challenging due to geographic isolation, poor communication routes, and the characteristics of the terrain, which, being composed of high rocky mountains, low-altitude forests, and barren land higher up, make transportation slow and agricultural development difficult..
Access to water is also limited throughout the province, making agricultural production difficult and unproductive, as it relies on seasonal rains. Although the overall nutritional status of the Vietnamese population has improved in recent decades, some northern provinces and mountainous areas still face significant nutrition challenges. According to data from the Xin Man district health center, in the Nam Dan commune, 17.85% of children under five years of age are underweight, and 33.71% of children in the same age group are stunted. In Ban Ngo, the data show 19.69% of children under five years of age are underweight, and 26.25% of children in the same age group are stunted. These figures indicate widespread growth difficulties, mainly due to poor and inadequate nutrition, and, combined with general malnutrition data in the adult population, paint a very serious picture of food poverty in the entire area, especially in the two municipalities where the project will be implemented.

Actions :

This project will reach various types of beneficiaries, with particular attention given to the female population and preschool students. 182 families will be direct beneficiaries of the water system for irrigating fruit and vegetable crops; 60 women will participate in training on nutrition and agriculture; 120 individuals, including adults and teachers, will undergo training on healthy nutrition; five preschools, with a total of 185 students and 12 teachers, will benefit from school gardens in Nam Dan. Additionally, 12 teachers, 185 students, and their families will participate in awareness events on healthy eating.

The objective of this project is to combat malnutrition, promote food self-sufficiency, and reduce the poverty rate in the rural communities of Ban Ngo and Nam Dan by improving local agricultural infrastructure and production techniques. Special attention will be given to environmental sustainability and addressing gender inequalities. 
The specific objectives are as follows:
0S1: Increase the quantity of food produced by families in Ban Ngo and Nam Dan through the construction of irrigation water systems, technical training, and the distribution of animals and seeds, with a particular focus on the female population.
OS2: Enhance knowledge of the basic principles of a healthy diet among families in Ban Ngo and Nam Dan.
OS3: Contribute to ensuring a healthy and nutritious diet for children in local schools through the construction and management of school gardens.

The project will undertake the following actions:
A.1: Construction of an irrigation water supply system that will provide safe water to 182 farming families in Ban Ngo and Nam Dan.
A.2: Distribution of livestock and seed kits to support families and improve their income.
A.3: Technical training in agriculture and animal husbandry, specifically targeting groups of women to increase the production of their family farms. The training aims to introduce environmentally and health-friendly methods of fertilization, plant and animal care.
A.4: Training and exercises on a healthy diet for adults and teachers.
Starting with an analysis of the current diet of adults and children, the trainer will address topics such as necessary nutrients for child growth and adult well-being, where to source them, and healthier cooking methods for raw materials.
A.5: Creation and management of 5 school gardens for the 5 beneficiary preschools. The harvested products will be used in school kitchens, supplementing the nutritional needs. 
l’alimentazione quotidiana degli studenti. 

Expected Results :

The project aims to contribute to:
1. Build a new irrigation water supply system for 34.3 hectares of agricultural land in the municipalities of Ban Ngo and Nam Dan, benefiting 182 families.
2. Enhance the technical knowledge in agriculture and livestock farming among the female population.
3. Increase the production of family-owned agricultural enterprises.
4. Provide training to adults and teachers on proper and healthy nutrition.
5. Daily provision of nutritionally healthy and sufficient meals to the 185 students in the five preschools.
6. Raise awareness among the 185 students and their families about healthy nutrition.

News:

• 31st July 2024 - Starting the construction of the water irrigation system for Nam Dan and Ban Ngo
• 30th September 2024 - Charity dinner 2024 - an event dedicated to Food Security
• 1st October 2024 - New agricultural and farming technics for women in Xin Man
• 29th October - Charity dinner 2024, thank you to everyone!
• 31st October 2024 - Schools' vegetable gardens to fight children malnutrition
• 11th January 2025 - Conclusion of the irrigation system in Ban Ngo and Nam Dam: start of the meetings with beneficiaries and technical trainings
• 12th March 2025 - The distribution of agricultural inputs and livestock in Ban Ngo e Nam Dan is completed
• 12th March 2025 - The trainings on healthy diet in Ban Ngo and Nam Dan have started

Funding Entities: