Deadline: 31-Oct-20
Netherlands Embassy (Hanoi) is seeking sustainable, smart and (technically) innovative Dutch concepts to address agro-water challenges to support the country in a move away from intensive rice farming toward more high-value and sustainable food production systems.
This approach, in which water management and agriculture are inextricably linked, is a pre-condition for success to address the increasing prevalence of flooding, drought, salt intrusion as well as land subsidence in the delta.
Over the decades, Vietnam and the Netherlands have built up a dynamic strategic relationship, particularly in the areas of water management and sustainable agriculture. After delivering the Mekong Delta Plan in 2013.
Funding Information
- 20k euro per category, further elaborating the proposed concept a more specific Dutch solution. This should take into account the feasibility, applicability, environmental impact, entering into partnerships and the required funding.
- Based on the elaborated concept, the embassy will work with you explore the possibilities for further scaling up the concept via existing PPP options or looking for suitable partners.
- In any case, they offer the opportunity to present your proposal included in a publication in Vietnamese. So you always win something when you participate.
- A winner per category will be chosen by the jury. Were allowed in a particular category no suitable solutions are found, no prize will be awarded, or suggestions are given to improve the concept.
Categories
You can participate in one of the following categories:
- Efficient water use – Some production methods use (too) much groundwater sometimes there are dry conditions that require less water use. You’d here for example being able to think of innovative irrigation systems or the use satellite data to better respond to weather conditions. Perhaps the solution mainly applicable at landscape level.
- Dealing with salt water – Conditions in the Delta require embracing salinization. This can be done by concepts to use salt water for agriculture production help. Think, for example, of salty tolerant crops or sustainable aquaculture systems.
- Flood based systems – The Dutch – Vietnamese cooperation aims to responding to the natural process that becomes water retention in certain seasons used for agricultural production. This is only possible if the retention areas are too can be used for agriculture. Innovative concepts can be helpful here be first. Think of floating vegetables, floating stables, hydroponic systems etc.
- Systems for water storage – Systems that store water can be a solution by making water available for agriculture in the dry season. This is possible be at farm level or water storage at landscape level.
- Improve water quality – Vietnamese agriculture in the Mekong is in many cases still too polluting. By pesticides or antibiotics or other use polluting practices, the surface water is affected. Smart on-farm innovations can contribute to improving water quality.
Criteria
The Dutch embassy will put together a jury consisting of Dutch and Vietnamese experts who will score the proposals on the basis of the following criteria:
- That you are a Dutch company (cooperation with knowledge institutions and NGOs is possible).
- The proposal clearly and briefly describes the operation of the proposed one (technological) solution.
- It must contribute to the transition to sustainable production methods that respond to the changing natural conditions of the Delta. It is therefore none research proposal.
- To be applicable and innovative within the Vietnamese context. This also means the applicability to crops as part of an existing or new value chain (there must be a market for it).
- The possibility for farmers in their further sustainability and their earning capacity, as well as the connection with their technical knowledge and affordability in Vietnamese context.
For more information, visit https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/10/06/call-for-smart-proposals-for-agro-water-contest-in-mekong-delta