In 2021, we are honored to be selected as a key participant in the prestigious GRAFT Challenge Vietnam—a program dedicated to addressing the country's pressing agricultural challenges. Today, the impacts of that participation continue to influence our growth and innovation across Southeast Asia.
Vietnam remains one of the world's leading agricultural nations, ranked as the second-largest exporter in Southeast Asia and the 15th globally (PRD: 2024). However, in recent years, the agricultural sector has continued to grapple with challenges from climate change, market volatility, and unsustainable practices that strain land, water resources, and producer livelihoods (Graft: n.d.). The report estimates that without proper adaptation and mitigation measures, climate change will cost Vietnam about 12-14.5% of GDP a year by 2050. (Hanoi Times: 2022). Our involvement in the GRAFT Challenge sought to address these long-term challenges by championing innovative, sustainable agricultural practices.
Responding to the growing need for sustainable agriculture, we are proud to be selected for the GRAFT Challenge Vietnam 2021, an initiative that continues to resonate today. The program provided tailored support to global innovators entering the Vietnamese market, with a strong emphasis on enhancing access to quality production inputs (Hanoi Times: 2021). By focusing on improving access—particularly for women producers—the program aimed to promote both profitability and long-term sustainability for Vietnam's agricultural sector.