Local farmers use science to future-proof agricultural industry in Vietnam

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Tiếng Việt

Local farmers use science to future-proof agricultural industry in Vietnam

While Vu Trang Linh was working on an avocado farming project in the Vietnam Central Highlands, she discovered the key driver of sustainable growth in the agricultural industry: the establishment of a strong value chain that links farmers with science and government.

An RMIT Master of Global Trade student and now an advocate for sustainable farming, Linh has since then worked with scientists from around the world to provide technical guidance and advice to local farmers on seedlings, fertilisers and machinery.

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RMIT University Master of Global Trade student Vu Trang Linh (second from left) on a field trip with avocado farmers and scientists from New Zealand.

“I connected international scientists with local farmers to discuss possibilities and recommendations based on research and successful case studies in the local wider agricultural industry,” she said.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, 43% of Vietnam’s population are engaged in agriculture; making the sector the major employer before services and industries.

“Agriculture makes up one third of Vietnam’s continuously developing economy. But it currently uses old-fashioned farming methods which don’t use high technology to optimise productivity,” Linh said.

“There’s an opportunity here to introduce cutting-edge technology to increase profit margins and improve the quality of life for local small-scale farmers.”

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Linh (fourth from left) and her colleagues testing the quality of avocados.

By gaining a deeper understanding of international trade through her studies at RMIT, Linh hopes to help lead the next phase of sustainable global trade in Vietnam.

“International trade is key to the rise of the global economy. Understanding the global trading system, international challenges and the business opportunities, while connecting with global leaders within and beyond my class, enables me to develop a high-level skillset and knowledge,” she said.

“I believe this degree will help me implement initiatives to upgrade the local agricultural industry.”

Linh is currently working for a startup agricultural company, where she’s able to apply what she learns in real time.

“There is no better place to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and work experience than the Master of Global Trade program,” Linh said.

“The knowledge I’ve learnt so far has given me unique insights into how to design and optimise a sustainable supply chain of agricultural products.”

Linh was among 25 scholarship recipients of the RMIT Master of Global Trade program, which was developed in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation last year. The Hinrich Global Trade Leader scholarship covers the full tuition fee of the eight courses within the Graduate Diploma of Global Trade stage of the program.

The scholarship is now open for the February 2021 intake. Application deadline: 19 February 2021. More information can be found here.

Story: Thuy Le

Campus and community

05 February 2021