On October 15, 2023, the World Food Day Conference took place in Ho Chi Minh City, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. At this significant event, the FAO representative office in Vietnam honoured ten exceptional Vietnamese women for their substantial contributions to agricultural systems and rural development.
Recognition of Women’s Impact in Agriculture
This initiative forms part of the global recognition for the International Year of Women in Agriculture 2026 and is aligned with the broader project “100 Outstanding Women in FAO across Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development.” Candidates were assessed by a panel of FAO experts alongside the Ministry and partners, based on four criteria: practical impact, leadership role, innovation, and community development.
Celebrating Diverse Contributions
The women recognised cover a wide range of fields, including scientific research, agricultural management, extension services, entrepreneurship, and value chain development. Despite their diverse professional backgrounds, they share a common goal of enhancing agricultural product value, improving livelihoods, and fostering sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Leading Innovations in Agriculture
Among the honourees is Ms. Thai Huong, a pioneering figure in high-tech dairy farming and the founder of TH Group. She has revolutionised the production and distribution methods of fresh milk in Vietnam and launched the national school milk programme, significantly enhancing school nutrition and creating a sustainable clean diet.
Similarly, Ms. Lam Ngoc Bao Han, the founder of the “Gia Dinh Nha Kwa” brand in Ca Mau, has developed an eco-friendly model for shrimp, crab, and fish farming in mangrove forests, ensuring product traceability and promoting consumer connections with local products while supporting environmental protection.
Empowering Local Economies
Ms. Thach Thi Chal Thi, founder and CEO of Tra Vinh Farm Ltd, has created the Sukfarm brand, which produces products from coconut flower nectar for both local and export markets. This model currently involves over 150 families engaged in coconut cultivation and provides job opportunities for more than 300 local workers, the majority of whom are women, including many from the Khmer community.
Furthermore, Ms. Nguyen Pham Cam Tu, co-founder and director of CAS Energy Co., Ltd., has pioneered the AgriSolar model, merging agricultural production with solar power and automation technology. This innovative approach optimises land use, generates clean electricity, and produces organic food, particularly benefiting rural women.
Advancements in Research and Education
In the realm of research and policy planning, Professor Nguyen Thi Lan, director of the Vietnamese Academy of Agriculture, has implemented various initiatives to enhance the connection between scientific research, training, and practical production. Her contributions have improved training quality, expanded international cooperation, and advanced veterinary biotechnology research.
Moreover, with nearly thirty years of expertise in coffee research, Ms. Dinh Thi Tieu Oanh has contributed to the official selection and development of approximately twenty recognised coffee varieties, while also facilitating advanced technology transfer and farmer training to enhance coffee yield and quality amid climate change.
Enhancing Agricultural Safety Practices
In the field of agricultural extension, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hai, head of veterinary and animal extension at the National Agricultural Extension Centre, has been a driving force behind biosecurity measures and sustainable livestock breeding models. By providing technical guidance and support for post-disaster recovery, she assists farmers in disease prevention and herd rebuilding, enhancing their resilience to risks.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Minh, former Deputy Minister of Fisheries and president of the Transparent Food Association, has made significant contributions to updating Vietnam’s fisheries sector by focusing on food transparency through traceability systems and digital platforms, empowering small and medium enterprises to improve management capabilities and market adaptability.
Community Economic Development Initiatives
In community economic development, Ms. Nong Thi Tham, president and director of the Yen Thi Cooperative for Traditional Medicine, has created a model connecting over 270 households producing medicinal herbs, crops, and flowers in Lao Cai. She shares her knowledge of technology and production management with women from ethnic minorities, significantly enhancing productivity and expanding livelihood opportunities.
On a similar note, Ms. Long Thi Hanh, founder and CEO of Hanhsilk in Hanoi, is recognised for her efforts in preserving local culture. Hanhsilk revives and develops the Nam Cao silk weaving craft by linking mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing with product development and experiential tourism, providing livelihoods for many families, especially women, while enhancing the cultural value of the handicraft village among tourists.
Importance of Gender Equality in Agriculture
Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO representative in Vietnam, emphasised that ensuring equal opportunities for women in accessing land, capital, knowledge, and markets is crucial for agricultural development and improving community livelihoods, not only in Vietnam but globally. “When women are empowered to develop their skills, crop yields can increase, child nutrition can improve, and communities can recover easier from challenges,” he stated. Thus, it is imperative to continue expanding opportunities for women to access knowledge, technology, and resources, encouraging their participation in decision-making processes and leadership roles. This also forms the foundation for enhancing innovation, developing livelihoods, and building sustainable agricultural value chains.
مينه ثويت – شوان آنه/وكالة الأنباء الفيتنامية