The project “Transforming the Rice Value Chain to Respond to Climate Change and Promote Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta (TRVC)”, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation during 2022–2027, aims to promote sustainable rice value chain development, reduce emissions, and enhance inclusive social values.
Building on gender equality and social inclusion training activities implemented in 2024 in the areas covered by the 1-Million-Hectare High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Project, SNV – TRVC Project collaborated with the National Agricultural Extension Center and the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development to organize a Training Course for Key Staff on Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion.
Strengthening practical capacity for key staff
The training aimed to consolidate previous results while enhancing practical capacity for staff involved in implementing the 1-Million-Hectare Project and the TRVC Project, particularly in teaching, communication, and mainstreaming gender equality and disability inclusion within the rice value chain. The course was held in Cao Lãnh City, Đồng Tháp Province, from December 15 to 17, 2025. The program gathered 28 participants, ensuring gender balance, who are staff engaged in teaching or communication on gender equality and disability inclusion from various agencies and organizations within the rice value chain. Participants included representatives from the Vietnam Rice Industry Association; Departments of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang and Đồng Tháp provinces; Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-department of Đồng Tháp; An Giang Provincial Agricultural Extension Center; agricultural extension stations and services; as well as representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees of selected communes and wards in the two provinces.
The training was led by two experts: Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh – Expert on Disability Inclusion, Director of the ACDC Institute for Community Development, and Ms. Phạm Thu Hiền – Expert on Gender Equality, former Director of the Center for Gender Research and Women’s Leadership, lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.
Participants, instructors, and delegates at the training course. Photo: TRVC. After three days of intensive learning, the course achieved several practical results and received high evaluation from participants:
- Participants gained a deeper understanding of disability, including basic concepts, identification and barrier removal, as well as how to integrate disability inclusion into sustainable rice production, value chain linkages, and the 1-Million-Hectare Project.
- Participants learned to identify gender barriers and integrate gender equality in activities related to sustainable rice production and value chain development.
- Participants acquired basic teaching and communication skills, and the ability to develop content on gender equality and disability inclusion, ready to conduct training and communication activities in the community.
Ms. Ngô Thị Thúy Hằng – Staff of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Phường Phương Thịnh, Đồng Tháp Province, remarked:
Similarly, Ms. Lê Trần Phúc Nguyên – Agricultural Extension Officer, Phường Mỹ Thới, An Giang Province, said:"Compared to the previous course, which mainly provided foundational knowledge, this training focused more on practice. Interactive activities, discussions, and presentations allowed participants to actively engage, exchange, and learn from each other, creating a lively and easy-to-absorb learning environment."
"The course helped me better understand the roles of women and persons with disabilities in agricultural production, as well as approaches to remove barriers to gender equality and inclusion. This knowledge is especially useful for the communication and guidance work I carry out with farmers."
Instructor Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh engaging participants with fun activities to approach disability inclusion in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Photo: TRVC.
Participants engaged in group discussions. Photo: TRVC. 
Participants working on case studies to apply knowledge in real contexts. Photo: TRVC.
Field communication practice: Learning through experience
A highlight of the training was the field communication practice on December 17, 2025, at Vietnam Rice Company (VINARICE), with the participation of 55 farmers, cooperative staff currently linked with VINARICE, and VINARICE staff. 
Enthusiastic field communication practice at Vietnam Rice Company (VINARICE) with participation from farmers, cooperatives, and company staff. Photo: TRVC.
Mr. Lâm Chí Tâm – Officer at Tháp Mười Agricultural Extension Station, Đồng Tháp Province, shared:
"Designing and presenting a community communication session directly helped me gain practical experience. After the training, I feel more confident developing and implementing activities that ensure gender equality and disability inclusion."
Participating in the communication session, Ms. Nguyễn Thanh Thúy – a farmer from Thuận Tiến Cooperative, Đồng Tháp Province, said:
"I found today’s session very useful. What impressed me most is recognizing the role of persons with disabilities and providing them with opportunities to be included in production. Second is gender equality – sharing tasks between husband and wife at home for a happier life. I especially liked the word ‘sharing.’ When I go home, I will discuss it with my husband. When tasks are shared, women have more time to participate in production and social activities like leading groups. Through this training, I feel more confident and believe I can perform well if given this responsibility."
Communication – A bridge to spread inclusive values
At the training, Ms. Trần Thu Hà – TRVC Team Leader – emphasized:
The training was an important step in building a team of key staff on gender equality and disability inclusion, contributing to raising awareness and improving practices at the grassroots level."Teaching and communication play a key role in spreading gender equality and disability inclusion values. When key staff are fully equipped with knowledge and skills, inclusive messages are conveyed accurately, effectively, and sustainably to communities, enterprises, and producers."
Implemented during 2022–2027 in An Giang and Đồng Tháp, the TRVC Project applies a results-based award mechanism to encourage business participation in the rice value chain. By expanding the application of advanced, low-emission rice production technologies, the project aims to increase smallholder income, improve rice quality, and promote inclusive social values, leaving no one behind.
The training concluded with pride and joy. Photo: TRVC.
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