Coconut palm cultivation and use in Vietnam: Temptative list of Coconut R&D projects in Vietnam

2025-ongoing. Vietnam Coconut Association Credit Program for Coconut Growers. Funded by Agribank and Vietnam Coconut Association for a total of VND 1,400 billion equivalent to USD 56 million. Implemented by: Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank). With partners: Vietnam Coconut Association, Agribank branches, provincial agricultural sectors, cooperatives, coconut enterprises in Mekong Delta, initially targeting Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Can Tho. Targeted credit program to standardize coconut cultivation, improve product quality and stabilize income for 2,700 coconut-producing households, with support for technology adoption, market linkages and financial services. https://van.nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/en/credit-capital-helps-farmers-improve-coconut-farming-productivity-78297.html
2024-ongoing. Carbon Market Research for Coconut Industry. Funded by Tra Vinh Provincial Government for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: Tra Vinh Province research units and Can Tho University. With partners: Can Tho University, provincial coconut associations. Project is mapping coconut plantation distributions and evaluating CO2 absorption by coconut biomass to enable carbon market participation for the sector and inform climate-resilient coconut policies. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/carbon-credit-market-unlocks-vietnams-potential/280492.vnp
2024-2030. Ben Tre Coconut Development Projects. Funded by Vietnamese government (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: Ben Tre provincial people's committee. With partners: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Cooperative Alliance, Farmer's Union, coconut processors. Aims to expand total coconut area to 80,000 ha, with 25,000 ha organic and 6,000 ha traceability-certified, through investment in technology, branding, farmer coops and sustainable production networks. https://www.bentre.gov.vn/pages/chitiettin.aspx?idtin=9935
2023-2027. Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability (STAR-FARM). Funded by European Union for a total of EUR 4.2 million equivalent to USD 4.66 million. Implemented by: FAO Vietnam. With partners: CIRAD, IRD, VAAS, IPSARD, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh DARD, MARD, Can Tho University. EU DeSIRA project for eco-friendly transformation of Mekong Delta farming systems including coconut, piloting innovation platforms, strengthening value chains, and supporting adaptation to climate change via agroecological science and technology. https://www.fao.org/vietnam/news/detail/en/c/1678651/
2023-2024. Huanlejia Food Processing Investment. Funded by Huanlejia Food Group (China) for a total of USD 18.4 million. Implemented by: Huanlejia and Ben Tre Provincial authorities. With partners: Ben Tre DARD, Ben Tre Investment Promotion Center, logistics, and coconut producer associations. Construction of 32,400m² coconut water and desiccated coconut processing factory in Ben Tre, targeting both the Vietnamese market and regional exports. https://www.investvietnam.gov.vn/news/huanlejia-food-processing-investment-in-ben-tre-n5631.html
2023-ongoing. Innovative Financial Incentives for Adaptation in Wetland Livelihoods (IFIA). Funded by Adaptation Fund and IFAD for a total of USD 5 million (USD 4.61 million Adaptation Fund, IFAD-Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation cofinancing). Implemented by: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and IFAD. With partners: VASI, CSAT project, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh authorities, mangrove conservation groups, coconut grower cooperatives. Pilots adaptive finance options and insurance for climate-risk coconut producers in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh, integrated with CSAT project value chains. https://www.adaptation-fund.org/project/innovative-financial-incentives-for-adaptation-in-wetland-livelihoods-ifia-viet-nam/
2021-2026. Climate Smart Agricultural Value Chain Development (CSAT). Funded by IFAD, Dutch Fund, KOICA, and Adaptation Fund for a total of USD 136.38 million. Implemented by: Provincial People's Committees of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. With partners: IFAD, Adaptation Fund, DARD, Agribank, Farmers and Women's Unions, coconut enterprises. Supports 60,000 smallholder households with climate-resilient coconut value chain action plans, infrastructure, extension and traceability for sustainable and inclusive coconut production. https://webapps.ifad.org/members/eb/135/docs/EB-2021-135-R-14-Project-design-report.pdf
2019-2024. Betrimex 4P Model. Funded by Ben Tre Import Export Company with IFAD technical support for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: Betrimex, with IFAD oversight. With partners: Ben Tre DARD, coconut farmer organizations, Agribank. Public-Private-Producers-Partnership (4P) model: 540 farmers supply 4.4 million coconuts/year under guaranteed contracts; project assists with GAP compliance, productivity upgrades, and fair farm gate prices (VND 50,000/dozen). https://www.betrimex.com.vn/en/news/4p-model-of-betrimex-146.html
2019-2022. South-South Cooperation for Scaling up Climate Resilient Value Chain Initiatives (SSCVC). Funded by China-IFAD SSTC Facility for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: IFAD. With partners: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Vietnam (Ben Tre), BEINCO, farmers’ groups. Brokering regional best practices and piloting climate-resilient coconut value chain models with PPPs and low-cost organic farming solutions for poor women farmers. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/how-south-south-and-triangular-cooperation-is-changing-the-lives-of-coconut-farmers
2019-2022. South-South Cooperation for Scaling up Climate Resilient Value Chain Initiatives (SSCVC). Funded by China-IFAD SSTC Facility for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: IFAD. With partners: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Vietnam (Ben Tre), BEINCO, farmers’ groups. Brokering regional best practices and piloting climate-resilient coconut value chain models with PPPs and low-cost organic farming solutions for poor women farmers. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/how-south-south-and-triangular-cooperation-is-changing-the-lives-of-coconut-farmers
2017-2022. Coconut Propagation Using Tissue Culture Technology. Funded by Vietnamese government (Ministry of Science and Technology) for a total of VND 10.5 billion equivalent to USD 420,000. Implemented by: Tra Vinh University and Institute of Agricultural Genetics. With partners: University of Tokyo, Ben Tre DOST, Mekong Delta Coconut Institute. Project created high-yield laboratory protocols for Macapuno and other coconut embryo culture, achieving 85% fruiting rate and optimized propagation techniques. https://en.sofri.org.vn/tin-tuc/1150-nhieu-giong-dua-moi-duoc-chon-tao-thanh-cong.html
2015-2023. Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Tra Vinh Province. Funded by Government of Canada for a total of CAD 12.1 million (USD 8.83 million). Implemented by: Global Affairs Canada and Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee. With partners: Tra Vinh province, SME associations, coconut enterprises, Women's Union, coconut fibre processors. Catalyzed private sector and rural value chain SMEs in coconut and eco-tourism in Tra Vinh, providing technical, finance and infrastructure support, creating over 23,000 jobs and improving coconut market logistics. https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/se_asia-asie_se/vietnam/sme_tra_vinh-pme_tra_vinh.aspx
2014-2020. Project for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta (AMD). Funded by IFAD and Vietnamese government for a total of USD 34 million (IFAD loan USD 22 million, cofinancing). Implemented by: Provincial People's Committees of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. With partners: DARD, BEINCO, Farmers’ and Women’s Unions, rural credit funds. Introduced PPP models for coconut-based livelihoods, subsidized climate-smart farming for rural households, and scaled up value chain partnerships for sustainable coconut production. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/-/project/2000000682
2010-2015. Developing Business with the Rural Poor in Ben Tre Province (DBRP). Funded by IFAD for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: Ben Tre Provincial People's Committee. With partners: VBARD, Farmers’ Association, Coconut Research Center, Ben Tre science and technology authorities, rural business groups. Fostered pro-poor coconut value chains, contract farming, and cooperatives benefiting 200,000 rural residents. https://fr.scribd.com/document/31163853/Developing-The-Coconut-Value-Chain-in-Ben-Tre-Vietnam
2002-ongoing. Markets and Agriculture Linkages for Cities in Asia (MALICA) Research Platform. Funded by French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CIRAD for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: CIRAD and Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS). With partners: CIRAD, VAAS, CASRAD, IPSARD. Conducts applied and fundamental research on coconut supply chains and market systems for Vietnamese cities, informing sustainable food system policy and coconut grower livelihoods. https://www.malica.org/
2000-ongoing. CIRAD Coconut Development Cooperation. Funded by CIRAD and French research agencies for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: CIRAD with MARD. With partners: CIRAD, VAAS, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh DARD, MALICA network. Research, innovation and field work for coconut genetic resources management, product diversification, value chain analysis and cross-country collaboration—applicable to all Southern Vietnam coconut-growing regions. https://www.cirad.fr/en/our-partnerships/30-years-of-partnerships-with-vietnam
Ongoing since 1990s. COGENT Activities in Vietnam. Funded by Crop Trust, ADB, IFAD, DFAT and others for a total of Not specified. Implemented by: COGENT-RIOOP and CIRAD with Vietnamese authorities. With partners: ICC, CIRAD, Crop Trust, Southern Fruit Research Institute, Institute of Agricultural Genetics, VAAS. Coordinating international coconut germplasm network; Vietnam joined in 2004 to share, maintain and assess coconut diversity including via tissue culture and exchange with Philippines and Pacific partners. https://www.cogentnetwork.org/