Seeds of Cooperation Between Vietnam and Senegal in Agroecology

09/06/2025
A Vietnamese delegation visited Senegal to explore opportunities for scientific cooperation in agroecology. Through field visits and meetings with local and international organizations, the mission focused on rice systems, sustainable farming practices, and knowledge sharing within the framework of South–South collaboration.
senegal living lab
senegal living lab

Field visit to farms supported by the DyTAEL initiative under the Living Lab model © A. Dao, ÌÇÐÄVlog

In June, a Vietnamese delegation visited Senegal on an exploratory mission to identify areas for scientific cooperation in agroecology. Through meetings with researchers, farmers' cooperatives, and local institutions, the mission became a platform to share experiences related to rice cultivation, sustainable agriculture, and public policies that support the agroecological transition in both countries. Led by ÌÇÐÄVlog in Continental Southeast Asia and the West African Dry Zone, with support from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this initiative is part of a dynamic of South-South cooperation in the face of shared challenges: soil salinity, climate change, and food security.

Between 2014 and 2023, Senegal’s agricultural production increased by 220%, yet the country still depends on imports for 70% of its rice, wheat, and corn needs. The sector, which employs more than a third of the working population, faces persistent challenges, including poor crop diversification and accelerating degradation of natural resources. Despite these constraints, Senegal has considerable potential: arable land, abundant water resources, a strategic geographical location, and a network of stakeholders engaged in agroecology for over 40 years. In recent years, these efforts have gained renewed momentum through policy shifts and institutional support, including Senegal’s designation as a pilot country for the FAO’s Scaling up Agroecology Initiative.

Reinforcing this dynamic, during a recent bilateral meeting at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China, the Presidents of Vietnam and Senegal expressed a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, particularly in rice and cashew production, through knowledge exchange, food security partnerships, and South–South collaboration.

The delegation brought together key Vietnamese institutions, including the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Environment (IPSAE), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). This visit confirmed a shared interest in advancing sustainable agricultural models through knowledge exchange.

Senegal has shown considerable interest in Vietnam's expertise regarding rice intensification and varietal development. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese delegation seized the opportunity to learn from Senegal's community-focused strategies for dryland farming, which emphasize institutional and local innovation. By bringing together political, scientific, and development actors from both countries, with support from France, the mission created a strong foundation for building structured and lasting collaboration.

Connecting Rice Systems Research Across Continents

meeting between VAAS IPSAE MAE AfricaRice and KAFACI network

Meeting with AfricaRice: the Vietnamese delegation met with Dr. Ali Ibrahim, representative of AfricaRice, Dr. Raafat El-Namaky, head of the rice varietal selection program, and Korean experts from the KAFACI network for Africa © A. Dao, Cirad

Experimental rice farm in Ndiaye and Fanaye

Visit to an Experimental site for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) © A. Dao, Cirad

Rice emerged as a shared technical priority throughout the mission. In meetings with the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), the Senegal River Valley Development Authority (SAED), and AfricaRice, discussions focused on varietal selection, irrigation management, and low-emission cultivation practices. Senegalese partners outlined the country’s need to strengthen domestic rice production, particularly in salinized and drought-prone areas. They highlighted constraints in seed quality, water access, and cooperative organization within the rice value chain.

Senegal experimental rice fields

Rice fields at the Fanaye Experimental Farm © A. Dao, Cirad

The Vietnamese delegation shared experiences in varietal development for salt- and drought-tolerant rice, as well as in the implementation of techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and rice–fish integration. These exchanges helped identify concrete entry points for future collaboration, particularly in adapting rice systems to the ecological constraints shared by both countries.

Living Labs, Spaces for Agroecological Innovation

DyTAES teams, Living Lab activities in Fatick

The Vietnamese delegation on a field visit with DyTAES teams as part of the Living Lab activities in Fatick.  © A. Dao, Cirad

Living Lab visit in Fatick

Living Lab visit in Fatick, where farmers grow rice and fruit trees with support from the DyTAEL initiative.  © A. Dao, Cirad

The Vietnamese delegation also visited agroecological Living Lab sites in Fatick and the Lac de Guiers region. These sites are supported by the Local Agroecological Transition Initiative (Initiative pour la Transition Agroécologique Locale, DyTAEL), a field-level platform implemented by a coalition of NGOs, including ENDA-Pronat, and aim to co-develop and test agroecological practices. The Living Lab approach promotes collaborative innovation between farmers and support structures in response to local challenges such as salinity and erratic rainfall.

In various Living Lab villages visited, farmers demonstrated how they are testing ecological rice systems, planting fruit trees, and using compost to improve soil fertility in areas affected by salinization and drought. Local authorities and producers also described how the Living Lab helps structure cooperation and knowledge exchange among farming communities. 

Policy Dialogue for the Future

ISRA-ERAAS Vietnamese delegation visit

Vietnamese delegation's visit to the ISRA-CERAAS research center in Thiès. © A. Dao, Cirad

In addition to technical discussions and field visits, the mission included high-level meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). These discussions helped situate the Vietnam–Senegal partnership within a broader vision of agroecological transition and food system resilience, highlighting strong institutional support and alignment between national strategies and international cooperation priorities.

Looking ahead, a follow-up visit by a Senegalese delegation to Vietnam is planned for August 2025, with field visits and institutional exchanges to explore Vietnam’s experience in high-yield, low-emission rice systems and integrated agroecological models. Discussions are also underway to formalize scientific cooperation through a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) and the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA). Building on the momentum of this first exchange, the partners aim to co-develop research activities, facilitate mutual learning, and engage development partners in supporting a structured, long-term South–South partnership for agroecological transition.