VOAA promotes in-depth knowledge of agroecology

On the morning of May 7 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), in collaboration with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International) and the German organic farmers’ association Naturland, officially launched the Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course (AOLC) 2026. The program aims to strengthen leadership capacity, systems thinking, and the ability to promote agroecological and organic agricultural transformation associated with sustainable food systems development.

The course is not merely technical agricultural training, but is designed to build a team of “change agents” in the fields of agroecology and organic agriculture.

The program is intended for leaders, officials, and individuals working in agroecology and organic agriculture who demonstrate responsibility, dynamism, and readiness to promote sustainable agricultural development.

Participants include experts involved in value chains, markets, and policies related to agroecology and organic agriculture; agricultural extension officers, trainers, program and project coordinators; representatives of socio-political organizations, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and development organizations; as well as leaders of farmer organizations and cooperatives.

The course consists of two in-person sessions in Hanoi combined with online classes and practical assignments. Topics include: foundations of agroecology and organic agriculture; leadership and facilitation skills; value chains, markets, and entrepreneurship; policy and systems change; nutrition and sustainable food systems.

A highlight of the course is field activities at the Thanh Xuan PGS model in Soc Son, Hanoi, along with exchanges with international experts, businesses, and exemplary cooperatives such as Bac Tom and BigGreen. Participants will also develop personal or organizational “Development Plans” for practical application after the course, while connecting with domestic and international organic agriculture networks.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Ha Phuc Mich, VOAA Chairman, said that this is not a technical agricultural training course. Rather, the course strengthens and promotes a comprehensive understanding of agroecology and organic agriculture, including social, ecological, economic, and policy dimensions.

At the same time, the course aims to build and strengthen systems and capable change agents at regional and global levels, enabling participants to learn from one another, collaborate, and spread the organic movement beyond the course itself.

This is the first course in Viet Nam to be delivered directly by an international organic organization, with 27 pioneering learners participating.

Mrs. Patricia Flores, Senior Global Academy Manager of IFOAM - Organics International, said the course not only combines technical knowledge with soft skills, but also aims to equip participants with innovative and creative thinking in their work.

According to Ms. Patricia Flores, through mutual learning and the sharing of practical models and initiatives, participants will gain many new ideas to contribute more comprehensively to the development of organic agriculture in Viet Nam.

Mrs. Le Ngoc Mai Trang, representative of Naturland, shared that learning in the course is not limited to theoretical presentations, as participants also have opportunities to listen to and directly exchange ideas with experts, businesses, and practitioners in organic agriculture.

“After five days of study, each participant will gain more motivation and renewed passion to continue promoting the development of Viet Nam’s organic agriculture sector,” Ms. Trang expressed.

AOLC 2026 is expected to become a place that nurtures the “leadership seeds” of Viet Nam’s organic agriculture. From lessons on systems thinking and production ethics to practical models, each participant will carry away not only knowledge, but also responsibility and aspiration to act for a greener, more humane, and more sustainable agriculture for future generations.

As shared by Dr. Pham Thanh Hai, lecturer in agroecology at the Hanoi Academy of Agriculture: “Organic crops are planted on a foundation of ethics, because behind them lies not only economic value, but also the answer to what we will do for future generations.” Developing agroecology and organic agriculture is also a journey of nurturing happiness for ourselves, for people, for communities, and for the environment.