Enabling Smallholder Farmers to Better Manage Water-related Climate Risks in the Central Highlands of Vietnam with Novel Nature-based Solutions Implemented by IWMI

This project focuses on creating more climate-resilient food systems in the Central Highlands – one of Vietnam’s poorest, yet most agriculturally important regions. Across the region, intensive irrigation combined with climate change, threatens water security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers who largely produce coffee. Ethnic minority groups are most at risk. An innovative, nature-based solution known as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) was previously demonstrated to be effective at the pilot scale in the Central Highlands in building preparedness for climate change by increasing water availability and maintaining productivity.

Through the piloting, MAR received in-principal endorsement from the Government and the Vietnam coffee sector. Building on this initial success, this project will involve the implementation of a cluster of around 25 new MAR interventions to be co-designed and implemented with farmers. IWMI and partners will also engage with government agencies and the private sector to strengthen the enabling environment to promote public and private investment into scaling MAR as an approach to mitigate water-related climate risks for agricultural production.

Activities include:

• Desktop analysis of MAR suitability in Dak Lak
• Field work to select prospective sites for MAR implementation
• Exploration of suitable business models for MAR
• Engagement with key private sector actors and government officials on sustainable and inclusive MAR scaling

Project Updates

Facilitated Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues: 

The project convened dialogues between government officials, the private sector, and local communities to implement nature-based solutions for water management