Chau Hung Cooperative, founded in 2020 in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam, has expanded from 50 to 230 members, focusing on organic rice-shrimp farming. This innovative farming method integrates rice cultivation with shrimp farming, leveraging natural tidal fluctuations to minimize chemical inputs and enhance sustainability. The cooperative generates significant revenue from shrimp sales, but its organic rice faces market competition and limited recognition. We invite students to develop solutions for diversifying farmers’ income through nature-based solutions (NbS). Participants will explore strategies for market expansion of organic rice, identifying new shrimp markets, and leveraging ecotourism to promote biodiversity and economic resilience.

Key Challenges:

Limited Market for Organic Rice – The rice faces competition from conventional varieties and lacks brand recognition.

No Defined Market for Shrimp – No clear target market strategy exists despite profitable shrimp sales.

Income Diversification Needed – Farmers require additional revenue streams, such as ecotourism, to enhance resilience.

This initiative encourages students to apply NbS approaches, ensuring environmental sustainability, economic viability, and long-term impact on Vietnam’s food systems.

by Agriterra

Vietnam’s shrimp farming sector faces increasing environmental challenges, including pollution, antibiotic overuse, and climate variability, leading to rising production costs and declining competitiveness. Good Tôm, a modern aquaculture venture, aims to revitalize struggling shrimp farms through precision aquaculture and eco-intensification. However, a key issue remains: underutilized "supporting" ponds currently serve only as water treatment areas. We invite students to design an integrated, multi-trophic aquaculture strategy that leverages these ponds for the sustainable production of additional species such as seaweed, fish, or crab. This approach aims to improve biodiversity, reduce pollution, and generate supplementary income for shrimp farmers.

Key Challenges:

Underutilized Supporting Ponds – Most shrimp farms use only a fraction of their land for shrimp production, leaving vast ponds unused.

Environmental Sustainability – Water quality deterioration and disease outbreaks threaten the viability of shrimp farming.

Economic Resilience – Farmers need alternative income streams to mitigate risks and sustain profitability.

This challenge encourages students to develop nature-based solutions that optimize the integration of multiple species, enhance ecological balance, and create scalable, sustainable aquaculture models for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.

by Good Tôm

Lam Dong province is witnessing a rise in protected indoor cultivation, improving food safety and crop yields while reducing pesticide use. However, further optimization is needed to enhance sustainability. Rijk Zwaan, a global leader in vegetable breeding, has developed disease-resistant varieties like the Blue Leaf cucumber, which naturally combats pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. Despite this, there is no clear strategy for selecting the best-resistant varieties for different seasons and regions in Vietnam. We invite students to develop solutions for optimizing the use of these varieties, minimizing pesticide dependence, and improving sustainable farming practices.

Key Challenges:

Lack of Clear Usage Guidelines – There is no structured approach to determining the best-resistant varieties for different seasons and regions.

Pesticide Overuse – Indoor farming has reduced pesticide use, but further reductions are possible through better crop management.

Sustainability & Market Demand – Farmers need practical, scalable solutions that enhance crop resilience while ensuring food safety and economic viability.

This challenge encourages students to apply nature-based solutions to create a framework for effectively utilizing resistant crop varieties, improving food safety, and promoting ecological sustainability in Vietnam’s agriculture.

by Rijk Zwaan