Despite a remarkable achievement in overall poverty reduction over the last 20 years, poverty remains high in upland and mountainous areas (up to 40%) and is even more pronounced amongst Vietnam’s ethnic minorities (up to 50%). Rural households have moved beyond subsistence production and now depend on agriculture and forest products for most of their income and on off farm employment. The effort of poor rural households, especially ethnic minorities to have better market access and to so improve their income is often hindered by insufficient information, poor linkages between different actors along the value chains, and a lack of strategic market development.

To reduce poverty of poor households, especially ethnic minorities, through generating additional income and employment in selected value chains in which the poor can participate.

Rural poor, ethnic minority households; men and women as actors along value chains including collectors, pre-processors, traders, enterprises or government agencies including research institutes. Particular emphasis on economic activities of women.

Outcome 1: To increase market access and participation of poor rural household in selected value chains (in agriculture and non-timber forest products).

Outcome 2: To generate and disseminate knowledge and experiences on value chain intervention at local and national levels, and in specific cases in the Mekong region.

Phase 1 01.05.2012 - 30.06.2016   (Completed)