Recently, CISDOMA has joined the National Board of Member for Knowledge Management of Agro-Ecological Learning Allience in South – East Asia (ALiSEA) in Vietnam.
The agriculture sector of Southeast Asian countries is in the crossroads between intensive agricultural models relying heavily on chemical inputs and capital, and innovative agroecological systems, which are less dependent on agrochemical inputs. Although the conventional intensive farming method brings high productivity in the short term, on the other hand, has led to many negative consequences for the environment and risks for smallholder farmers. In order to overcome the limitations of the conventional intensive farming method, Agroecology is considered as the optimal choice to shift towards a sustainable Agriculture and safe food system.
Agroecological Learning Alliance in South – East Asia (ALiSEA) is a significant component under the Agroecological and Safe food System Transitions program (ASSET) funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), and coordinated by GRET to promote the transition of agroecology in Southeast Asian countries. The Network has more than 150 members in Southeast Asian countries including civil society organizations, NGOs, farmers’ organizations, researchers and academies, the private sector and government agencies…. ALiSEA is considered the most active network among actors promoting Agroecology in the region.
In April 2021, CISDOMA was selected as ALiSEA’s National Board Member for Knowledge Management in Vietnam. In this role, CISDOMA is charge of strategic formulation of the Network’s action plan at the national level in the Network’s Knowledge Management related activities, such as identifying initiatives, documenting good practices on transformation of Agro-ecological and food systems, promoting documentation and information sharing among Network members as well as externally.
Since 2017, as an active member of ALiSEA, CISDOMA has promoted the adoption and replication of Agroecological practices through the Institute’s development projects. Various practices have been promoted such as monitoring activities and minimize the use of toxic pesticides, using bio-products as alternative for chemical pesticides, sloping agricultural land technology, organic rice cultivation, integrated farming models, processing and reuse of agricultural by-products… In addition, CISDOMA is also a pioneer in promoting the application of Simulation games to improve the analytical and decision-making capacity for farmers in agroecological transformation. This is the solution to tackle the bottleneck in the application of ecological production methods, which is the awareness of farmers.
Agroecology is based on applying ecological principles to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment while addressing social and economic aspects required for a sustainable and fair food system. Agroecology can build synergies to support food production, food security and nutrition, rural and urban livelihoods while restoring the ecosystem services and biodiversity that are essential for sustainable agriculture. It can play an instrumental role in building resilience and adaptation to climate change.
In practice, Agroecology encompasses innovative farming systems that are less dependent on chemicals, and include wide range of practices that are healthier, more environmentally friendly and socially stable. The Agroecology farming models particularly make the most of local resources, reduce chemical inputs, these include systems such as agroforestry, integrated farming, diversified crops and livestock, landscape design farming, organic farming, and conservation agriculture….
Agroecological and Safe food System Transitions (ASSET)” funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), coordinated by GRET, aims at promoting the transition of agroecology in the region of Southeast Asian country. The overall objective of the Program is to work towards a more sustainable agriculture, a safer and more inclusive food system in Southeast Asia, through harnessing the potential of Agroecology to transform them. The program is implemented for 5 years from 2020 to 2025 in 4 countries Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
