MINES TO CHOCOLATES® in Vietnam
More than thirty-five years after the end of the Vietnam War, the nation and its younger peacetime generation continue to suffer the consequences of conflict that inhibit economic development throughout the land.
Map of Vietnam and the areas ROP is working in.
ROP works with local people of war-torn communities to provide lasting economic opportunities. It is through treating these local people as partners rather than charity recipients that we make our impact. The SHADE (Sustainable Horticulture and Agriculture Development) Program, focusing on Cacao/Cashew intercropping and Black Pepper, is designed to stimulate economic growth through the following tenets:
- Local Coordination
- Individual Empowerment
- Sustainable Knowledge Transfer
- Value Chain Integration and Expansion
Pepper on the vine
Two years on from breaking ground in Vietnam SHADE has established a strong connection with the Vietnamese people as it reaches out to over 100 communities across war torn regions. Working directly with impoverished farmers, project methodology and application has laid the basis for projected 170% increase in income for our cacao farmers, and over 1000% for black pepper. SHADE’s linkage with local leadership and government continues to grow, as we build on the 205 training workshops and 71 community leaders receiving extensive project training. Having planted over 300,000 trees, the project hopes to extend its impact to a further 2200 families in the coming two years. SHADE’s seed has been planted, and the seed is strong.