Báo cáo Nghiên cứu khoa học Research Staff Competence

stharvest study tour provided Vietnamese scientists with an insight into postharvest and quality assurance employed by Australian producers. They also visited Yanco’s NVIC to inspect the research on irrigation and vegetables and a number of vegetable farms, seed producers and food processors. During this trip we visited Gosford, Sydney, Canberra and Yanco. In Gosford we were trained at the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture (NCGH) re. greenhouse vegetable production, hydroponic systems, greenhouse IPM, postharvest for fresh vegetables and fruits and disinfectation of fruits (apple, orange…) for export. We also visited green tea plantation in Somersby research farm. In Sydney we visited the Sydney Central Market in Flemington to learn the management and vegetable and fruit market system. Hydroponic production (tomatoes and mini-cucumber) in the Western Sydney area (Bringelly and Leppinton) was inspected. We also visited Yanco Agricultural Institute, the National Vegetables Industry Centre, vegetable farms (rock melon, processing tomato and onion) and Leeton Rice Growers’ Co-operative to study the large-scale production technologies. A particular strength of Australia is the diversity of its research capability and the emphasis on bringing teams together from different scientific fields to find solutions to major problems facing Australia and the rest of the world. Similarly in the horticulture sector, NSW DPI is committed to improving fruit, vegetable and flower’s yield and quality. Due to high achievements in R&D of the Australian horticultural industry, a co-operation between Vietnam and the Australian Research Institutions as well as the Australian Horticultural companies is strongly recommended, focussing on: 1. Collaboration in medium and high technologies of Protected Cropping systems; 2. Collaboration in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) for horticulture; 3. Collaboration in Agricultural advanced technology; 4. The invitation for Vietnamese scientists to visit Australia should be sent to Vietnam a little earlier, approximately two months before departure to enable them to better prepare their paper work, specially for HUAF. Invited scientists should go at the same time so that they can help each other in study; 5. Our accommodation and condition for our studies were very good. Therefore, we request that the project need to be kept in that way; 6. Evaluation of Vietnam’s ability in exportation of vegetables to some overseas major markets. 7. Production of cocopeat in Vietnam is stable and friendly environmental vegetable production. So project like this could be lengthen and it will become a big success. 8. There is a Need to invite much more Vietnamese scientists and outstanding farmers to join Agriculture study tour in Australia. III. Introduction of Project and Study tour Vegetable food safety is becoming of increasing concern to Vietnamese consumers. In Vietnam, in the four-year period 1999 - 2002, nearly 20,000 Vietnamese were poisoned by vegetable products with 250 subsequently dying (Ministry of Health, 2003). Studies have found pesticide residues and other contaminants including nitrates and heavy metals to be at levels well above maximum residue limits (MRL). For example in one vegetable residue survey conducted by RIFAV some pesticide levels were 5-10 times the MRL (Tran Khac Thi, 1999). In peri-urban agriculture where the majority of vegetables servicing the major centres are produced the problem stems from large amounts of fertiliser and pesticide being applied to small plots of land in an attempt to boost yields. This perceived need to boost yields is also driven in part by the knowledge that significant losses perhaps as high as 30% will occur along the supply chain. The previous project AusAID-CARD0016 (2001-2003) demonstrated that a protected cropping system (a net-house) is suitable for the production of safe and good quality vegetables in Vietnam. This demonstration system used local waste coconut fibre (cocopeat) as a growing medium, a suitable alternative to soil in peri urban areas for intensive vegetable production with low chemical inputs. However, the implementation of “good agriculture practice” for the production of safe and high quality vegetables in new growing systems is still a long way off. To successfully address these issues this project will use a multifaceted approach to improve production efficiency; reduce reliance on pesticides; reduce postharvest losses and to utilise quality assurance principles. The achievements of Australia in R&D in horticulture has been considered as a very high valuable lesson that Vietnam needs to learn for building the above vegetable production technology. Vietnamese horticulturists that will learn new production, postharvest and quality assurance techniques in Australia will be able to implement these techniques in research and transfer new skills to growers in workshops in Vietnam. In doing so this will enhance the ability of Vietnam to promote rural development in these industries and increase the agricultural efficiency and competitiveness of vegetable production, which are aligned in the Strategies 1.2.2. and 2.1.1. in the agreed CARD Program Strategic Framework (Vietnam Australia Development Cooperation Strategy 2003-2007). The four-week visit of Ngo Thi Hanh, RIFAV; Vu Tuan Minh, HUAF and Ngo Xuan Chinh, IAS to the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, NSW DPI, Australia are strongly supported to their scientific and extension activities in Vietnam. IV. The Authors 1. Ngo Thi Hanh, research scientist, Department of Vegetables and Spices, Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables, Hanoi. Mrs. Hanh graduated from Hanoi Agricultural University (HAU) in 1991. She was also awarded a M.Sc. degree in HAU in 2001. Mrs. Hanh was trained at the Asian Region Centre of Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC) in Thailand for 5 months (1996 – 1997). From 2005 – 2009, she is Ph.D’s Candidate with research in hybrid cucumber breeding. 2. Vu Tuan Minh, lecturer, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agronomy, Hue University of Agriculture & Forestry. Mr. Minh graduated from Hue University of Agricultural and Forestry in 2001 and he was trained at World Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Asian Region Centre in Thailand for 5 months (11/2004 – 3/2005). He teaches on vegetable crop. 3. Ngo Xuan Chinh, research scientist, Department of Vegetables of Institute of Agriculture Scientist for South Vietnam. Mr. Chinh graduated from Thai Nguyen University of Agricultural and Forestry in 2000 and he was trained at World Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Asian Region Centre in Thailand for 5 months (11/2004 – 3/2005). Mr. Chinh is a leader of research vegetable group of IAS. V. Source of Fund All expenses of this project, including finance for this study tour with airfares, foods, accommodation and local travel in Australia were met by AusAID-CARD- 004/04VIE. VI. Itinerary Week 1: 31st October – 05th November 2005 Date Morning Afternoon Mon 31 Arriving to Sydney Airport VN 783 Sydney 9:35am – Vong Nguyen Orientation – David Hall, Introduction training course & Vegetables GAP - Vong Nguyen Tue 01 Protected cropping systems: Hydroponic systems – Sophie Parks Protected cropping systems: Cocopeat research – Ross Worrall Wed 02 GAP - Quality Assurance 1 - Joe Ekman GAP - Quality Assurance 2 - Joe Ekman Thu 03 Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse – Diseases – Len Tesoriero Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse IPM – Stephen Goodwin & Marilyn Steiner Fri 04 Field walk 1: Visiting Pacific Hydroponics Pty Ltd, Wyong – Sophie Parks, Joe Ekman, Suzie Newman, Vong Nguyen, Tuyen Wrapping up Week 1 – Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman Sat 05 Week 2: 06th – 12th November 2005 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 06 Mon 07 National Launch: Asian vegetable names, west Sydney – Jenny Ekman Tue 08 Postharvest diseases 1 – Elena Lazar Postharvest diseases 2 – Elena Lazar Wed 09 Supply Chains – Suzie Newman Protected cropping systems: Grafting – Vong Nguyen Thu 10 5:30 Visiting Sydney Central Market, 7:30 Antico – Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman Visiting farms, Bringelly & Leppington NSW – Dr Ho Dang Fri 11 Postharvest – Quality Assessment 1 - Suzie Newman Postharvest – Quality Assessment 2 - Suzie Newman Sat 12 Week 3: 13th – 19th November 2005 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 13 Mon 14 Yanco Yanco – Canberra: Visit Parliament House Canberra - Yanco Tue 15 Yanco Yanco Agricultural Institute- Mohammad Quadir Yanco Agricultural Institute- Visiting farms – Mark Hickey Wed 16 Yanco Yanco Agricultural Institute- Sandra McDougall Visit Leeton Rice Growers’ Co- operative Thu 17 Yanco – Gosford Fri 18 Preparation of Travel Report – Vong Nguyen Sat 19 Week 4: 20th – 27th November 2005 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 20 Mon 21 Yuri Discussion of experiments in Vietnam – Sophie, Suzie, Vong Tue 22 Yuri Discussion of experiments in Vietnam – Sophie, Suzie, Vong Discussion of workshops in Vietnam (12th – 25th February 2006) – Sophie, Suzie, Joe, Vong Wed 23 Yuri Preparation of Travel Report – Vong Nguyen, Sophie Parks Thu 24 Yuri Equipment purchase Afternoon tea - Presentation of Certificate (David Hall) Fri 25 Yuri Wrapping up Training course - Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman, Sophie Parks, Joe Ekman Sat 26 Yuri Sun 27 Vietnamese scientists return to Vietnam VN782 11:35 VII. Research Institution Visited 1. National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW (NCGH) David Hall - Director Vong Nguyen - Australian Project Leader, Hydroponic vegetable and Greentea Suzie Newman - Post-harvest Andrew Jessup - Disinfectation Ross Worrall - Ornamental Stephen Goodwin & Marilyn Steiner- Greenhouse IPM 2. Sydney Central Market, Flemington 3. Cabramatta Vietnamese market 4. Pacific Hydroponics, Wyong 6. Greenhouse vegetable producers (Mr Hung Nguyen, Mr Hoang, Mr Kevin) 7. Yanco Agricultural Institute VIII. Report Week 1: Day 1 - Monday 31st October 2005 Arriving to Sydney Airport at 10:00am and met with Dr & Mrs Nguyen at 11:00am. Arriving at Gosford Horticultural Institute at 3:00pm. Welcomed by Mr Paul Patersen, Manager and Dr David Hall, Director, GHI. Dr Vong Nguyen introduced the training course. Week 1: Day 2 - Tuesday 1st November 2005 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Growing technologies and Hydroponic systems – Trainer Dr. Sophie Parks explained the structures of greenhouses, hydroponic systems and showed some experimental trials on lettuce and perilla by NFT system and silver beet by RtW system. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Cocopeat research – Trainer Dr. Ross Worrall explained his study on cocopeats including Sri-Lankan and Vietnamese cocopeats. He also talked about the automatic controlled system on hydroponic of tomato and cucumber. These systems are difficult to build in Vietnam due to lack of electricity, unavailable equipments and chemicals for nutrient solutions. Week 1: Day 3 - Wednesday 2sd November 2005 Morning session: Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) - Quality Assurance 1: Trainer Mr. Joe Ekman introduced GAP and Freshcare systems used by the Australian horticulture. Afternoon session: Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) - Quality Assurance 2: Trainer Mr. Joe Ekman discussed further in Freshcare’s Code of Practice. At present, the Vietnam’s MARD and ASEAN countries are discussing with Australia to develop an ASEAN GAP which is likely to be introduced in early 2006. Week 1: Day 4 - Thursday 3rd November 2005 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse IPM – Diseases: Trainer Mr. Len Tesoriero introduced diseases that damaged tomato, cucumber and lettuce in greenhouse. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse IPM – Insects: Trainers Dr. Stephen Goodwin & Ms Marilyn Steiner explained their studies on predators that would control the insects. Their recent studies are focussed on fungi that could control the development of insects. Week 1: Day 5 - Friday 4th November 2005 Field walk 1: Visiting Pacific Hydroponics Pty Ltd, Wyong: Morning session: Visited Pacific Hydroponics vegetable production company in Wyong. Pacific Hydroponics produces lettuce (NFT system), herbs (NFT) and tomato (RW) in greenhouse. Dr. Sophie Parks, Mr. Joe Ekman, Dr. Suzie Newman, Dr. Vong Nguyen, Mrs. Tuyen Nguyen. The above growing technologies are new for farmers in Vietnam. After this training course we would like to implement these technologies in our country. Afternoon session: Wrapping up Week 1 – Vong Nguyen. Week 1: Day 6 - Saturday 5th November 2005 Sydney’s Sight Seeing Week 1: Day 7 - Sunday 6th November 2005 Visit to Cabramatta market to inspection Asian vegetables and fruits. Week 2: Day 1 - Monday 7th October 2005 Morning and afternoon sessions: National Launch: Asian vegetable names, west Sydney – Project Leader: Dr. Jenny Ekman: Dr Ekman introduced her project which is funded by RIRDC for 2 years 2004-2005. There is a need to uniform the exotic vegetables’ names. A list of new Asian vegetable names which are used in Australian are launched at Cabramatta market. This is a new method of extension which would be good if apply in our country. Met with Honourable Mr McDonald, the Minister of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Dr Mike Curl, Deputy Director General, NSW DPI Week 2: Day 2 - Tuesday 8th November 2005 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Postharvest diseases 1– Trainer Dr. Elena Lazar: Introduction about some main diseases in Postharvest on cucumber, tomato. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Postharvest diseases 2– Trainer Dr. Elena Lazar: Studying about main damaging fungus development on fruits and vegetables in storage. We had observed and counted fungal spores in microscope. Week 2: Day 3 - Wednesday 9th November 2005 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Supply Chains – Postharvest Trainer Dr. Suzie Newman: Discussing on postharvest and supply chain management on vegetables production in Vietnam and introducing on GAP and postharvest in Australia. We think vegetables production in Vietnam need to apply that. General discussion – postharvest project objectives: Practical-Storage environment, temperature and packaging-setting up Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Grafting – Trainer Dr. Vong Nguyen: Discussion about grafting methods on tomato and cucumber in greenhouse. Grafting technologies have been applied for large area in Vietnam. GAP for vegetables was also discussed. Week 2: Day 4 - Thursday 10th November 2005 Morning session: Start 5:30 Visiting Sydney Central Market, trainer Drs Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman: Australian vegetables sold in Central market are clean, uniform and good looking. These characteristics are also required by export company - Antico International Pty Ltd as well. To achieve this vegetables are produced using high technology systems. Mr. Hugh Molloy introduced about activity of company and cooling storage system. Afternoon session: Visiting farms, Bringelly & Leppington NSW – Trainer Drs Ho Dang, Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman Visiting Vietnamese farms producing tomato, cucumber and flowers on semi-hydroponic systems. These demonstrations are very suitable with vegetable production in Vietnam. Week 2: Day 5 - Friday 11th November 2005 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Postharvest – Quality Assessment – trainer Dr. Suzie Newman: Supply chain management and quality management. Studying on six principles for GAP. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Postharvest – Quality Assessment – trainer Dr. Suzie Newman. Practical session - Storage environment, temperature and packaging of mushroom, lettuce and orange Practical session - Measuring quality of mushroom, lettuce and orange in 120C and 200C with different packaging conditions. Measuring of quality index: 0Brix, firmness, colour charge of apple, pear and water melon. Week 2: Day 6 - Saturday 12th November 2005 Week 2: Day 7 - Sunday 13th November 2005 Week 3: Day 1 - Monday 14th October 2005 Morning: Departure 7:00am Gosford – Canberra: Visit Parliament House Afternoon: Canberra – Arriving 19:00 Yanco Week 3: Day 2 - Tuesday 15th November 2005 Morning session: Yanco Agricultural Institute- trainer Dr. Mohammad Quadir: Visit National Vegetables Industry Centre and inspect research laboratory and onion experimental trials. Afternoon session: Yanco Agricultural Institute-Visiting farms – trainer Mark Hickey: Visit to farm producing rockmelon in net-house (3 acres) and open field; processing tomato experimental trial. Inspection of onion, grapes, rice and orange farms; learning of large-scale tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems and spray equipments. Production farms in Yanco are larger with an area of hundreds of hectares. All farming are modernise and very uniform. Week 3: Day 3 - Wednesday 16th November 2005 Morning session: Yanco Agricultural Institute- trainer Dr. Sandra McDougall: Discussion about insect pest management on vegetables in Autralia and Vietnam Afternoon session: Visit to Leeton Rice Growers’ Co-operative. There are many products from rice: noodle, wine… Week 3: Day 4 - Thursday 17th November 2005 Morning and afternoon session: Yanco – Gosford Week 3: Day 5 - Friday 18th November 2005 Morning and afternoon session Preparation of Travel Report – trainer Dr. Vong Nguyen Week 3: Day 6 - Saturday 19th November 2005 Week 3: Day 7 - Sunday 20th November 2005 Week 4: Day 1 - Monday 21th October 2005 Morning and afternoon session: Discussion of experiments in Vietnam - trainer Dr. Vong Nguyen. We were all agreed that the experimental trials will be organised as follows: 1. Hochiminh: First year: experimental trails with 4 medium (1. Cocopeat of Cauvong Co.; 2. IAS media; 3. Coffee bean coir; 4. Ductrong media) on tomato and cucumber local variety with 5 replications, design on RCBD. Second year: Tomato and cucumber variety evaluation trials. 2. Hanoi: First year: experimental trails with 4 medium (1. Cocopeat of Cauvong co.; 2. Cocopeat and volcano rock; 3. Cocopeat and peanut; 4. Cocopeat and roast soybean) on a tomato and cucumber local variety with 5 replications, design on RCBD. Second year: Tomato and cucumber variety evaluation trials. 4. Hue: First year: Experimental trials with 2 – 3 medium on tomato local variety with 7 replications, design on RCBD. Second year: Effect of indicate media on growth of tomato local variety and tomato hybrid variety. Week 4: Day 2 - Tuesday 22th November 2005 Morning and afternoon sessions: Discussion of experiments in Vietnam – Dr. Vong, Dr. Sophie Parks, Dr. Suzie Newman. Discussion of workshops in Vietnam – Dr. Vong, Dr. Sophie, Dr. Suzie, Mr. Joe: We decided to organise workshops in Hochiminh and Hanoi in a period of 12th – 25th February 2006. The itinerary would be as follows: February 2006 Sunday 12 Sydney – Hochiminh Monday 13 Visiting Thu Duc Central Market; Finalising workshop with IAS Tuesday 14 Workshop Wednesday 15 Visiting experimental trial in Lam Dong Thursday 16 Visiting farms; wrapping up the workshop Friday 17 HCM – Hue – Meet with HUAF Saturday 18 Visiting farms Sunday 19 Hue – Hanoi Monday 20 Visiting Hanoi Central Market; Meeting with RIFAV; finalising the workshop Tuesday 21 Workshop Wednesday 22 Visiting experimental trial in RIFAV’s research farm Thursday 23 Wrapping up the workshop Friday 24 Visiting farms in Hanoi suburbs Saturday 25 Hanoi – HCM – Sydney Week 4: Day 3 - Wednesday 23th November 2005 Morning and afternoon sessions: Preparation of Travel Report – Dr. Vong Nguyen. Week 4: Day 4 - Thursday 24th November 2005 Equipment purchase Afternoon tea - Presentation of Certificate (David Hall) Week 4: Day 5 - Friday 25th November 2005 Wrapping up Training course - Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman, Sophie Parks, Joe Ekman Week 4: Day 6 - Saturday 26th November 2005 Week 4: Day 7 - Sunday 27th November 2005 Vietnamese scientists return to Vietnam VN782 11:35 IX. Recommendation Due to high achievements in Research and Development of the Australian horticultural industry, a co-operation between Vietnam and the Australian Research Institutions as well as the Australian Horticultural Companies in the field of greenhouse, hydroponic and new vegetable variety is strongly recommended. 1. Collaboration in medium and high technologies of Protected Cropping systems; 2. Collaboration in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) for horticulture; 3. Collaboration in Agricultural advanced technology; 4. The invitation for Vietnamese scientists to visit Australia should be sent to Vietnam a little earlier, approximately two months before departure to enable them to better prepare their paper work, specially for HUAF. Invited scientists should go at the same time so that they can help each other in study; 5. Our accommodation and condition for our studies were very good. Therefore, we request that the project need to be kept in that way; 6. Evaluation of Vietnam’s ability in exportation of vegetables to some overseas major markets. 7. Production of cocopeat in Vietnam is stable and friendly environmental vegetable production. So project like this could be lengthen and it will become a big success. 8. There is a Need to invite much more Vietnamese scientists and outstanding farmers to join Agriculture study tour in Australia. Prepared by: Ngo Thi Hanh, RIFAV Vu Xuan Minh, HUAF Ngo Xuan Chinh, IAS 28/11/2005 X. Appendix Picture 1: Dr. Sophie Parks introduces NFT system on Lettuce to Vietnamese scientists Picture 2: Dr. Sophie Parks and Dr. Ross Worrall introduce media (cocopeat) for hydroponic vegetables production Picture 3: Visit vegetables production farm by NFT system and tomato in greenhouse, with Dr Sophie Parks and Mr Joseph Ekman. Picture 4: Visit farm production semi-hydroponic on tomatoes, with Drs Ho Dang, Vong Nguyen, Suzie newman and Mrs Tuyen Nguen. Picture 6: Visit farm production semi-hydroponic on flowers. Picture 5: Visiting Sydney Central Market, with Dr Vong Nguyen and Mrs Tuyen Nguyen Picture 7: Enjoyed field-day about Asian vegetables extension Picture 8: Visit to National Vegetable Industry Centre at Yanco Agricultural Institute. Picture 9: Met with the Minister of NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Honourable Mr. McDonald. Picture 10: Drs Mark Hickey and Vong Nguyen worked on moisture sensor (Sentek, EnviroScan) recording moisture content in the soil on 40ha rockmelon farm. Appendix 2 Report on Travel to Australia 2nd – 30th July 2006 AusAID-CARD-004/04VIE “Improving the safety and quality of Vietnamese vegetables through research and capacity building in quality assurance, post-harvest management and high technology protected cropping systems” July 2006 Nguyen Thi An, RIFAV Nguyen Dinh Thi, HUAF Ngo Minh Dung, IAS Nguyen Hong Phong, Phong Thuy Farm TABLE OF CONTENTS XI. Acknowledgements 3 XII. Executive Summary 4 XIII. Introduction of Project and Study tour 6 XIV. The Authors 7 XV. Source of Funds 7 XVI. Itinerary 8 XVII. Research Institution Visited 9 XVIII. Report 10 XIX. Recommendation 16 XX. Appendix 17 I. Acknowledgements There are many people and organizations that have contributed towards our trip to Australia and to all of these people we would like to express our appreciation: • The AusAID-CARD, who contributed financial assistance to enable us to go to Australia to work with Australian counterpart organization, • The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ministry of Education, Vietnam for supporting the final formality of this course. • Dr. Nick Austin, the Deputy Director General of NSW Department of Primary Industries (Science & Research), who invited us to NSW DPI to work with his organization’s scientists at the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW. • Dr. Trevor Gibson, Director (Production Research); Dr. Philip Wright, Research Leader (Horticulture). • Dr. David Hall, Director, National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW. • Dr. Vong Nguyen, Australian Project Leader, Drs Suzie Newman, Sophie Parks, Ross Worrall, Stephen Goodwin, Mr Joseph Ekman, Mr Len Tesoriero and Ms Marilyn Steiner. • Mr. Paul Andersen, Manager and Mrs Jacquies Priest, National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW. • Assoc. Prof. Tran Khac Thi, Project Leader, Deputy Director of Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV); Prof. Tran Van Minh, Rector of Hue University of Agriculture & Forestry (HUAF); Prof. Pham Van Bien, Director of Institute of Agricultural Sciences for South Vietnam (IAS), who delegated us to NSW DPI to work at the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW. • Support by Dr. Le Thi Khanh, Head of Department of Horticulture of HUAF; Dr. Ngo Quang Vinh, Head of Department of Vegetables of IAS and the helps from colleagues. • We also appreciate the hospitality of the research staff at the National Vegetable Industry Centre, Yanco Agricultural Institute including Mr Mark Hickey, Dr. Mohammad Quadir, Dr. Sandra McDougall. • Last but not the least, we are grateful to Mrs Tuyen Nguyen and Mrs Yuri for their hospitality during our stay in Australia. II. Executive Summary The aim of this visit to Australia was to work with NSW DPI’s horticulturists at the NCGH, Gosford for a period of one month (from 2nd to 30th, July 2006) on production of safe & high quality vegetables at Gosford Horticultural Institute. This includes greenhouse and hydroponic production methods and pest and disease management. The Post-harvest Group based at the GHI provided training to visiting Vietnamese scientists in quality assurance systems, supply chain dynamics and post- harvest management of vegetable crops. A post-harvest study tour provided Vietnamese scientists with an insight into post-harvest and quality assurance employed by Australian producers. They also visited Yanco’s NVIC to inspect the research on irrigation and vegetables and a number of vegetable farms, seed producers and food processors. During this trip we visited Gosford, Sydney, Canberra and Yanco. In Gosford we were trained at the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture (NCGH) re. greenhouse vegetable production, hydroponic systems, greenhouse IPM, post-harvest for fresh vegetables and fruits and disinfectation of fruits (apple, orange…) for export. We also attended the first Australia green tea conference, visited green tea plantation in Somersby research farm. In Sydney we visited the Sydney Central Market in Flemington to learn the management and vegetable and fruit market system. Hydroponic production (tomatoes and mini-cucumber) in the Western Sydney area (Bringelly and Leppinton) was inspected. We also visited Yanco Agricultural Institute, the National Vegetables Industry Centre, vegetable farms (rock melon, processing tomato and onion) and Leeton Rice Growers’ Co-operative to study the large-scale production technologies. A particular strength of Australia is the diversity of its research capability and the emphasis on bringing teams together from different scientific fields to find solutions to major problems facing Australia and the rest of the world. Similarly in the horticulture sector, NSW DPI is committed to improving fruit, vegetable and flower’s yield and quality. Due to high achievements in R&D of the Australian horticultural industry, a co-operation between Vietnam and the Australian Research Institutions as well as the Australian Horticultural companies is strongly recommended, focussing on: 9. Collaboration in medium and high technologies of Protected Cropping systems; 10. Collaboration in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) for horticulture; 11. Collaboration in Agricultural advanced technology; 12. Our accommodation and condition for our studies were very good. Therefore, we request that the project need to be kept in that way; 13. Evaluation of Vietnam’s ability in exportation of vegetables to some overseas major markets. 14. Production of coco-peat in Vietnam is stable and friendly environmental vegetable production. So project like this could be lengthening and it will become a big success. 15. There is a Need to invite much more Vietnamese scientists and outstanding farmers to join Agriculture study tour in Australia. III. Introduction of Project and Study tour Vegetable food safety is becoming of increasing concern to Vietnamese consumers. In Vietnam, in the four-year period 1999 - 2002, nearly 20,000 Vietnamese were poisoned by vegetable products with 250 subsequently dying (Ministry of Health, 2003). Studies have found pesticide residues and other contaminants including nitrates and heavy metals to be at levels well above maximum residue limits (MRL). For example in one vegetable residue survey conducted by RIFAV some pesticide levels were 5-10 times the MRL (Tran Khac Thi, 1999). In peri-urban agriculture where the majority of vegetables servicing the major centres are produced the problem stems from large amounts of fertiliser and pesticide being applied to small plots of land in an attempt to boost yields. This perceived need to boost yields is also driven in part by the knowledge that significant losses perhaps as high as 30% will occur along the supply chain. The previous project AusAID-CARD0016 (2001-2003) demonstrated that a protected cropping system (a net-house) is suitable for the production of safe and good quality vegetables in Vietnam. This demonstration system used local waste coconut fibre (cocopeat) as a growing medium, a suitable alternative to soil in peri urban areas for intensive vegetable production with low chemical inputs. However, the implementation of “good agriculture practice” for the production of safe and high quality vegetables in new growing systems is still a long way off. To successfully address these issues this project will use a multifaceted approach to improve production efficiency; reduce reliance on pesticides; reduce postharvest losses and to utilise quality assurance principles. The achievements of Australia in R&D in horticulture has been considered as a very high valuable lesson that Vietnam needs to learn for building the above vegetable production technology. Vietnamese horticulturists that will learn new production, postharvest and quality assurance techniques in Australia will be able to implement these techniques in research and transfer new skills to growers in workshops in Vietnam. In doing so this will enhance the ability of Vietnam to promote rural development in these industries and increase the agricultural efficiency and competitiveness of vegetable production, which are aligned in the Strategies 1.2.2. and 2.1.1. in the agreed CARD Program Strategic Framework (Vietnam Australia Development Cooperation Strategy 2003-2007). The four-week visit of Nguyen Thi An, RIFAV; Nguyen Dinh Thi, HUAF; Ngo Minh Dung, IAS and Nguyen Hong Phong, Phongthuy farm, Duc Trong, Lam Dong to the National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, NSW DPI, Australia are strongly supported to their scientific and extension activities in Vietnam. IV. The Authors 5. Nguyen Thi An, research scientist, Department of Vegetables and Spices, Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables, Hanoi. Mrs. An was awarded a M.Sc. degree in Hanoi Agricultural University in 1998. She was trained at the Asian Region Centre of Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC) in Thailand for 5 months (1999 – 2000). 6. Nguyen Dinh Thi is a lecturer on plant physiology, Faculty of Agronomy, Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry. Thi received BSc. in 1999 and MSc. in 2002 from Hue University. He was trained at Asian Region Centre of Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Asian Region Centre in Thailand for 5 months (2003 – 2004) on Vegetable research, extension and production. His current areas of interest are the physiology and bio- chemistry of vegetable crop. 7. Ngo Minh Dung, research scientist, Department of Vegetables, Institute of Agriculture Sciences for South Vietnam. Mr. Dung graduated from College of Nature Sciences, HCM University in 2000. He was trained at AVRDC – The World Vegetable Centre, Asian Region Centre in Thailand for 5 months (2003 - 2004) on Vegetable research, extension and production. Mr. Dung is a leader of hydroponics vegetable research group of IAS. 8. Nguyen Hong Phong, Director of Phongthuy Farm in Lien Nghia, Duc Trong, Lam Dong province, Vietnam. He is currently interested in greenhouse and hydroponic development. V. Source of Fund All expenses of this project, including finance for this study tour with airfares, foods, accommodation and local travel in Australia were met by AusAID-CARD-004/04VIE. VI. Itinerary Training program Trainees: 1. Mrs Nguyen Thi An, Research Institute of Fruits & Vegetables, Hanoi 2. Mr Nguyen Dinh Thi, Hue University of Agriculture & Forestry, Hue 3. Mr Ngo Minh Dung, Institute of Agricultural Sciences for South Vietnam, Hochiminh 4. Mr Nguyen Hong Phong, Phong Thuy Farm, Duc Trong, Lam Dong Week 1: 2nd July – 29th July 2006 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 2 Arriving to Sydney Airport VN 783 Sydney 8:20am – Vong Nguyen Mon 3 Orientation – Dr David Hall, Introduction training course & Vegetables GAP - Vong Nguyen Introduction of postharvest training course – Suzie Newman Tue 4 GAP - Quality Assurance 1 Joe Ekman GAP - Quality Assurance 2 Joe Ekman Welcome party: Saran Thai- Wyoming 19:00 – Wed 5 GAP - Quality Assurance 3 and Visited Harrid Farm in Erina - Joe Ekman Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse – Diseases – Len Tesoriero Thu 6 Australian Green Tea Conference – Day 1 Fri 7 Australian Green Tea Conference – Day 2 Sat 8 Visited Sydney Week 2: 9th July – 15th July 2006 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 9 Visited West Field supermarket, Liverpool Mon 10 Protected cropping systems: Hydroponic systems - Sophie Parks Cocopeat research – Ross Worrall Tue 11 Field walk 1: 9:00 Visiting Pacific Hydroponics Pty Ltd, Wyong (Sophie, Suzie, Joe, Vong) Vegetables GAP.Wrapping up Week 1- Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman Wed 12 Field walk 2: Visiting Vietnamese farms: Hung Nguyen, 670 Bringelly NSW – Ho Dang 0428-414 486 (Vong, Sophie, Suzie) Thu 13 Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse IPM – Stephen Goodwin & Marilyn Steiner Postharvest diseases – Elena Lazar Fri 14 Field walk 3: 5:00 Visiting Sydney Central market, Flemington Supply chain (Suzie, Sophie, Vong) Sat 15 Week 3: 16th July – 22nd July 2006 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 16 Visited Harbour bridge and Opera house, Sydney Mon 17 Gosford – Canberra (visit Parliament House) Canberra - Yanco Tue 18 Visited Griffith Yanco Agricultural Institute- Visiting farm – Processing factory – Mark Hickey Wed 19 Yanco Agricultural Institute- Visiting farm – Mohammad Quadir Yanco Agricultural Institute- Sandra McDougall Thu 20 Visited Dairy farm, Wagga Wagga, Yanco – Gosford Fri 21 Preparation of Travel Report – Vong Nguyen Sat 22 Visited nursery - Bonnyrigg NSW Week 4: 23rd – 29th July 2006 Date Morning Afternoon Sun 23 Visited Sydney Mon 24 Discussion of experiments in Vietnam – Sophie, Suzie, Vong Tue 25 Discussion of workshops in Can Tho and Hue (mid March 2007) – Sophie, Suzie, Joe, Vong Wed 26 Preparation of Travel Report – Vong Nguyen, Sophie Parks Thu 27 Equipment purchase Afternoon tea - Presentation of Certificate (David Hall) Fri 28 Wrapping up Training course - Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman, Sophie Parks, Joe Ekman Sat 28 Visited Hunter Valley Wineries Sun 29 Vietnamese scientists return to Vietnam VN782 10:35 VII. Research Institution Visited 1. National Centre for Greenhouse Horticulture, Gosford NSW (NCGH) David Hall Director Vong Nguyen Australian Project Leader, Hydroponic vegetable and Greentea Suzie Newman Post-harvest Sophie Parks Greenhouse Joseph Ekman QA (Quality Assurance) Andrew Jessup Disinfestation Ross Worrall Ornamental Stephen Goodwin & Marilyn Steiner- Greenhouse IPM 2. Sydney Central Market, Flemington 3. Cabramatta Vietnamese market 4. Pacific Hydroponics, Wyong 6. Greenhouse vegetable producers (Mr Hung Nguyen, Mr Hoang, Mr Kevin) 7. Yanco Agricultural Institute 8. Atkinson Hydroponic, Griffith VIII. Report Week 1: Day 1 – Sunday 2nd July 2006 Arriving to Sydney Airport at 8:30am and met with Dr & Mrs Nguyen. Day 2 – Monday 3rd July 2006 Morning session: Orientation – Dr. David Hall, Director of GHI Introduction training course & Vegetable GAP – Dr. Vong Nguyen Afternoon session: Introduction of post-harvest training course – Dr. Suzie Newman introduced the principles of post-harvest technology. Day 3 - Tuesday 4th July 2006 Morning and Afternoon sessions: GAP – Quality Assurance 1 & 2; Trainer: Joe Ekman introduced Euro GAP, Freshcare systems and the need of application GAP on vegetable production. Evening: Welcome party at Saran Thai – Wyoming. Day 4 – Wednesday 5th July 2006 Morning session: GAP – Quality Assurance 3; Trainer: Joe Ekman; Visited vegetable supermarket (Woolworths, Harris farm markets) to learn more about GAP – Quality Assurance. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Green house – Diseases, lectured by Len Tesoriero. Mr. Tesoriero introduced the major diseases in greenhouse, identified some pests and their natural enemies through playing card game. Day 5 – Thursday 6th July 2006 Attended the Australian Green Tea Conference – day 1 Day 6 – Friday 7th July 2006 Attended the Australian Green Tea Conference – day 2 Day 7 - Saturday 8th July 2006 Visited Sydney Day 8 – Sunday 9th July 2006 Visited West Field supermarket, Liverpool Week 2: Day 9 – Monday 10th July 2006 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Growing technologies and Hydroponic systems – Trainer Dr. Sophie Parks explained the structures of greenhouses, hydroponic systems and showed experimental trials on cucumber and perilla by NFT system and silver beet by RtW system. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Cocopeat research – Trainers Drs. Sophie Parks and Ross Worrall explained their studies on Sri-Lankan and Vietnamese cocopeats. They also talked about the automatic controlled system on hydroponic of tomato and cucumber. These systems are difficult to build in Vietnam due to lack of electricity, unavailable equipments and chemicals for nutrient solutions. Day 10 - Tuesday 11th July 2006 Morning session: Field walk 1: Visited Pacific Hydroponics vegetable production company in Wyong: Pacific Hydroponics produces lettuce (NFT system), herbs (NFT) and tomato (RW) in greenhouse. Dr. Vong Nguyen, Mr. Joe Ekman, Dr. Suzie Newman. The above growing technologies are new for farmers in Vietnam. From this training course we would like to implement these technologies in our country. Afternoon session: Wrapping up Week 1 – Vong Nguyen. Day 11 – Wednesday 12th July 2006 Field walk 2: Visiting Vietnamese farms, Bringelly & Leppington NSW – Trainer Drs Ho Dang, Vong Nguyen; Visited Vietnamese farms producing tomato (Hung Nguyen farm), flowers (Hai, Hung) on semi- hydroponic systems. These technologies are likely suitable for Vietnamese vegetable industry. Day 12 - Thursday 13th July 2006 Morning session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Greenhouse IPM – Trainers Dr. Stephen Goodwin, Ms Marilyn Steiner and Dr. Goodwin explained their studies on predators that are able to control the insects. Their recent studies are focussed on fungi that control the development of insects. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Postharvest diseases – Trainer Dr. Elena Lazar: Introduction of major diseases in post harvest on vegetable, studied on fungus which effecting fruits and vegetables in storages. We were trained to observe and count fungal spores in microscope. Day 13 - Friday 14th July 2006 Morning session: Field walk 3: Visiting Sydney Central Market, Flemington supply chain. Trainer Drs Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman: Australian vegetables sold in Central market are clean, uniform and good looking. These characteristics are also required by export company - Antico International Pty Ltd as well. These vegetables need to be produced by high technology. Mr. Hugh Molloy introduced activity of company and cooling storage system. Afternoon session: Training on Protected cropping systems: Supply Chains – Post harvest Trainer Dr. Suzie Newman: Discussing on post harvest and supply chain management on vegetables production in Vietnam and introducing of GAP and post harvest management in Australia. We think vegetables production in Vietnam need to apply that system. General discussion – post harvest project objectives: Practical-Storage environment, temperature and packaging-setting up. Postharvest – Quality Assessment: Practical session - Storage environment, temperature and packaging of cucumber, tomato, grape, Kiwi. Measuring of quality index: 0Brix, firmness, colour charge, calculation of Ethylene output. Day 14 - Saturday 15th July 2006 Free Day 15 - Sunday 16th July 2006 Visited Harbour Bridge and Opera house, Sydney Week 3: Day 16 – Monday 17th 2006 Morning: Departure 7:00 a.m Gosford – Canberra: Visit Parliament House Afternoon: Canberra – Yanco Day 17 – Tuesday 18th July 2006 Morning session: Visiting pumpkin seed productions farm in Tabitta, greenhouse tomato and lettuce production in Griffith. Afternoon session: Yanco Agricultural Institute-Visiting farms – trainer Mark Hickey: Visited onion, grapes, rice and orange farms; inspection of large-scale tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems and spray equipments. Farms in Yanco are large with an area of hundreds of hectares. All farm are modernise and very uniform. Visit to Leeton Rice Growers’ Co- operative. There are many products from rice: noodle, wine… Day 18 – Wednesday 19th July 2006 Morning session: Yanco Agricultural Institute- trainer Dr. Mohammad Quadir: Visited National Vegetables Industry Centre and inspect research laboratory and onion experimental trials. Dr. Vong Nguyen: Visited two Agro-media’s shop in Yanco. Afternoon session: Yanco Agricultural Institute- trainer Dr. Sandra McDougall: Discussion about insect pest management on vegetables in Australia and Vietnam Day 19 – Thursday 20th July 2006 Morning and afternoon session: Visited Dairy Farm in Wagga Wagga; Yanco – Gosford Day 20 - Friday 21st July 2006 Preparation of Travel Report – trainer Dr. Vong Nguyen Day 21 & 22– Saturday 22nd July 2006 and Sunday 23rd July 2006 Visited nursery – Bonnyrigg Week 4: Day 23 – Monday 24th July 2006 Morning and afternoon session: Discussion of experiments in Vietnam - trainer Dr. Vong Nguyen; Dr. Sophie Parks; Dr. Suzie Newman: The plan of experimental trials for second year as follows: 1. In RIFAV, Hanoi: * Aims - Increasing in yield and quality of vegetable produced in protected systems (reduction of fertilizer and chemical) - Efficiency of production in green house compared that with open field. * Experimental design - Objectives: + Tomato: 01 variety + Cucumber: 01 variety - RCBD with 3 replications - Treatment: + in greenhouse: Utilization of the best media from the previous trials; drip irrigation method; environmental control, + In open field: fed to the plants follow RIFAV S standars techniques * Time From 10/ 2006 to 4/ 2007 * Area of experiment - Experiment is conducted at 3 locations: RIFAV (Hanoi), Bacninh and Hanam provinces. - 30 m2 (50 plants) x 2 sites x 3 location = 300 plants * Measurements - Plant height, fresh weight, dry weight at harvesting - Total yield, marketable and 2nd grade yield - Fruit quality: TTS (brix), acidity, fruit size (L, M, S, 2nd) on 3 plants - Shelf life of fruit: keeping 30 fruits from green mature to breakers in room temperature. 2. In IAS, Hochiminh city: * Aims - Increasing in yield and quality of vegetable produced in protected systems - Reducing fertilizer and chemical (toxicity) application on vegetable production * Experimental design - Three location: Duc trong (1), Don duong (2) in Lam dong province - RCBD with 3 replications - Treatment: + in greenhouse: Utilization of the best media from the previous trials; drip irrigation method; environmental control, + In open field: standard growing techniques * Duration From October 2006 to April 2007 * Area 30 m2 (about 50 plants) each x 2 sites = 60 m2 * Measurements - Plant height, fresh weight, dry weight at harvesting time - Total yield, marketable and 2nd grade yield - Fruit quality: TTS (brix), acidity, fruit size (L, M, S, 2nd) on 3 plants - Shelf life of fruit: harvesting 30 fruits at breakers 2 and keep in room temperature * Expected outcome: To identify the greenhouse vegetables can improve yield, quality, safety and incomes. 3. In HUAF, Hue city: * Aims - Increasing in yield and quality of vegetable produced in protected systems - Reducing fertilizer and chemical (toxicity) application on vegetable production * Experimental design - RCBD with 3 replications - Treatment: + in greenhouse: Utilization of the best media from the previous trials; drip irrigation method; environmental control, + In open field: standard growing techniques - Location: in HUAF * Duration From December 2006 to April 2007 * Area 30 m2 (about 50 plants) each x 2 sites = 60 m2 * Measurements - Plant height, fresh weight, dry weight at harvesting time - Total yield, marketable and 2nd grade yield - Fruit quality: TTS (brix), acidity, fruit size (L, M, S, 2nd) on 3 plants - Shelf life of fruit: harvesting 30 fruits at breakers 2 and keep in room temperature * Expected outcome - To identify the greenhouse vegetables can improve yield, quality, safety and incomes. Day 24 – Tuesday 25th July 2006 Discussion of workshops in Vietnam – Dr. Vong, Dr. Suzie: We decided to organise workshops in Can Tho University (20 – 21 March 2007) and HUAF, Hue (27 – 28 March 2007). Day 25 - Wednesday 26th July 2006 Morning and afternoon sessions: Preparation of Travel Report – Dr. Vong Nguyen. Day 26 - Thursday 27th July 2006 Equipment purchase Afternoon tea - Presentation of Certificate (David Hall) Day 27 - Friday 28th July 2006 Wrapping up Training course - Vong Nguyen, Suzie Newman, Sophie Parks, Joe Ekman Day 28 - Saturday 29th July 2006 Visited Hunter valley - Wineries Day 29 - Sunday 30th July 2006 Vietnamese scientists return to Vietnam VN782 10:35 IX. Recommendation Due to high achievements in Research and Development of the Australian horticultural industry, a co-operation between Vietnam and the Australian Research Institutions as well as the Australian Horticultural Companies in the field of greenhouse, hydroponic and new vegetable variety is strongly recommended. 9. Collaboration in medium and high technologies of Protected Cropping systems; 10. Collaboration in Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) for horticulture; 11. Collaboration in Agricultural advanced technology; 12. Our accommodation and condition for our studies were very good. Therefore, we request that the project need to be kept in that way; 13. Evaluation of Vietnam’s ability in exportation of vegetables to some overseas major markets. 14. Production of cocopeat in Vietnam is stable and friendly environmental vegetable production. So project like this could be lengthening and it will become a big success. 15. There is a Need to invite much more Vietnamese scientists and outstanding farmers to join Agriculture study tour in Australia. Prepared by: Nguyen Thi An, RIFAV Nguyen Dinh Thi, HUAF Ngo Minh Dung, IAS Nguyen Hong Phong, Lam Dong July 2006. X. Appendix Photo 1. The Vietnamese group with Japan’s Kunitaro Tea & Coffee Co. Ltd. at the Australian Green tea Conference. Photo 2. Visiting Sydney Central Market at Flemington NSW. Photo3. Greenhouse tomatoes at Atkinson farm, Griiffith NSW. Photo 4. Onion on 30ha farm in Griffith NSW. Photo 5. Visiting a vineyard in Griffith NSW. Photo 6. Visiting onion farm with research officers of the National Vegetable Industry Centre, Yanco NSW.